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The Colts are paying Philip Rivers a ton of money to solve their issues at quarterback. Will it prove to be a sound investment by Frank Reich and his staff?
Everything about the Indianapolis Colts‘ actions this offseason makes it clear they believe their roster was just a player or two away from a Super Bowl title last season. The team hopes that installing Philip Rivers as its starting quarterback will take the offense from good to great. The same goes for slotting DeForest Buckner into the middle of the defensive line.
Neither transaction was cheap. The good news on the Rivers front is that it only cost the Colts millions of dollars. Paying him over $25 million after his mediocre 2019 campaign with the Chargers is a questionable decision, but even if it doesn’t work out, it won’t harm the team in the long run.
The Buckner deal might. Bringing him into the fold cost the Colts their first-round pick in April’s draft. At least Buckner is squarely in the prime of his playing career. It’s hard to envision a scenario where he doesn’t help their defensive front, assuming he stays healthy.
The Colts are a legitimate Super Bowl contender, but they need things to fall their way to hoist the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season. The fate of the following five predictions could go a long way towards determining the team’s success in 2020.
5. Xavier Rhodes will lose his starting spot
The Colts scooped up Xavier Rhodes in free agency with the hope that he can still serve as one of their starting cornerbacks in 2020. The chances of Reich succeeding where Mike Zimmer failed are relatively low when it comes to defensive players.
As such, keep a close eye on either Marvel Tell or Kenny Moore to swoop in and steal Rhodes’ starting spot somewhere around Week 8. Rhodes isn’t completely washed up, but he’s better suited to a reserve role in a defense with this much talent.