Quarterback Philip Rivers. Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

QB Philip Rivers would 'listen' to Saints after Jameis Winston injury?

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 11/2/21

Veteran NFL quarterback Philip Rivers called time on his storied career in January following a single season with the Indianapolis Colts and had been linked with a potential move to the broadcast booth at some point down the road.

It appears Rivers is willing to temporarily end his retirement if the right opportunity arises.

Reports confirmed Monday that New Orleans Saints starting signal-caller Jameis Winston was lost for the remainder of the season because of the torn ACL and damage to his MCL he suffered in this past Sunday's win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Rivers told Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times he hasn't yet heard from the Saints but would listen if head coach Sean Payton called about potentially working out for the organization:

Philip Rivers tells me he hasn’t heard from the Saints but would listen.
— Sam Farmer (@LATimesfarmer) November 2, 2021

While with the Colts, Rivers passed for 4,169 yards with 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, and some would consider the 39-year-old an upgrade over both Trevor Siemian and Taysom Hill for the 5-2 Saints. Siemian completed 16-of-29 passes for 159 yards and one score against the Bucs after Winston went down.

As Jeff Kerr noted for CBS Sports, Rivers recently spent time coaching a high school football team in Alabama, but that season is now over.

"There’s been no dialogue, but you can’t shut the door on anything," Rivers said about the Saints during a Tuesday appearance on radio station WNSP-FM 105.5, per Mark Heim of The Alabama Media Group. "Although I still stick by it's a super, super slim chance.

"It takes a team to want you, first of all. It’s got to be the right situation for our family."

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