Colts benching Philip Rivers has multiple consequences that seem unfair to the future Hall of Famer after he did the team a favor

The Colts choosing to start Riley Leonard over Philip Rivers in Week 18 will have some pretty big consequences for the 44-year old.

Destin Adams — NFL News Writer
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Colts QB Philip Rivers
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The last three weeks have been quite the ride for the Indianapolis Colts. Philip Rivers has been the team’s starter after being retired for the past five seasons. This unbelievable experience seems to be coming to an end, though.

ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler reported on Monday that the Colts are planning on starting Riley Leonard in Week 18. This choice may not seem to matter, given that the Colts are already eliminated from the playoffs. There are some clear consequences, though. With Rivers doing the team a favor by returning, it doesn’t seem like the right way to end things.

Colts’ choice to bench Philip Rivers prevents him from reaching quite the milestone and ends an impressive streak

If Rivers is active for the Colts in Week 18 but not as the starter, it will end Rivers’ ongoing 243 consecutive game starting streak. This is the second-longest streak in NFL history, only behind Brett Favre, who started 297 consecutive games. The streak ending because he goes back into retirement is one thing; it ending one game sooner because the Colts are putting him on the bench is another. 

This benching is also removing an opportunity for Rivers to climb the all-time passing rankings list. Rivers is in striking distance to pass Ben Roethlisberger to become sixth on the all-time passing yards list. He’s 108 yards away from passing Roethlisberger, who threw for 64,088 yards during his career. 

Rivers has thrown for over 108 yards in each of the three games he’s played in this year. If the team feels the need to play Leonard, it should let Rivers climb the all-time passer rankings first before doing so. That doesn’t seem to be the way things are heading, though, which will make this a pretty massive missed opportunity for Rivers. 

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