Shawne Merriman reveals Philip Rivers comeback bombshell

There's more information about why veteran quarterback Philip Rivers hasn't yet officially retired from playing in the NFL even though he turned 42 years old earlier this month. 

Retired linebacker Shawne Merriman, Rivers' former teammate when both played for what were known as the San Diego Chargers, told TMZ Sports that the signal-caller is waiting for a call from an NFL team. 

"I can tell you," Merriman claimed, "Phil still wants to play."

Rivers, of course, featured for the Chargers franchise from 2004 through the 2019 season before he spent the 2020 campaign with the Indianapolis Colts. He hasn't played in a meaningful game since January 2021, but it was learned this past summer that San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan would've reached out to Rivers instead of Pittsburgh Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger had the Niners advanced to Super Bowl LVII after Brock Purdy went down with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow during the NFC Championship Game loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. 

"I still think Philip can play another year or two if a team gets down here in the playoffs and they need a quarterback to come off the street," Merriman added during his chat with TMZ. "Phil can do it."

2023 has become the year of the backup quarterback due to numerous injury issues that have impacted teams since September. Super Bowl XLVII Most Valuable Player Joe Flacco reportedly could've taken a job with the "Inside the NFL" television program but instead remained an available free agent until he became a potential savior for a Cleveland Browns side that seems headed to the playoffs. 

Perhaps Rivers believes he can complete a similar comeback if an advertised Super Bowl contender such as the 11-3 49ers needs an emergency quarterback before or during the upcoming postseason tournament.