Phillip Rivers the future Hall of Famer is suiting up again after a 5 year hiatus. He will be familiar with a few faces and most importantly Jonthan Taylor.
Taylor becomes the biggest winner the moment Rivers takes a snap because everything Rivers does feeds directly into Taylor’s strengths.
Rivers has always relied on a physical runner to carry the load. That is not a luxury for him. It is a requirement for how he controls games and what his limitations now are at his age.
Taylor is built for that kind of responsibility with his power, burst and ability to take over drives. Rivers would lean on him right away because that has always been part of his formula for winning.
The real advantage comes before the ball is even snapped. Rivers is one of the smartest presnap quarterbacks of his era. He forces defenses to show their hand which gives Taylor clean reads and lighter boxes.
That is a major shift from what Taylor saw in the games when Daniel Jones was out when defenses crowded the line and dared the Colts to beat them through the air. Rivers changes that conversation instantly.
Taylor also becomes a larger part of the passing game. Rivers has a long history of turning his running backs into steady receiving threats. Think of his later years in Los Angeles with Darren Sproles.
He trusts them in space. He trusts them on quick outlets. He trusts them to extend drives. Taylor has the skill set to thrive in that role and Rivers would bring out every bit of it.
There is also the leadership element. Rivers brings order. He brings command. He brings an urgency.
That type of presence helps a runner find rhythm because the offense stays on schedule and avoids wasted drives. Taylor becomes the engine of a more organized system which makes his impact even greater.
This is why the idea of Rivers returning should not be brushed aside too quickly. Even in his late 40s Rivers is still a savant when it comes to thinking the game and execution.
The Colts need someone who can stabilize the offense and elevate their best player. Rivers can still do that and Taylor would feel the immediate benefit.
Taylor currently leads the league in rushing with 1,356 yards on the ground. If Rivers plays, Taylor’s production spikes.
His influence on winning becomes louder. He becomes the heartbeat of a team that suddenly looks like they could still compete for the Lombardi Trophy again.
The equation is simple. Rivers gives Taylor the room to dominate again and Taylor turns that opportunity into wins.