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49ers HC Kyle Shanahan Explains Why 44 Y/O Philip Rivers Is More Effective Than Most QBs Half His Age

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San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, widely considered to be one of the sharpest minds in the National Football League, has weighed in on why Philip Rivers is a more effective quarterback than most QBs that are half his age.

With the Indianapolis Colts and San Francisco 49ers facing off on Monday night football this week, the longtime Niners coach was asked why the Colts believed a 44-year-old Philip Rivers off the street was their best option at the position following the season injury to Daniel Jones.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan explained why Philip Rivers is more effective at 44 years old than QBs half his age

“I mean, he is a little bit older. So, he might not be as fast, might not be able to throw it quite the same distance as he used to, but you don’t know that for sure because you don’t get to exactly see it on tape. But I see a guy who knows how to play the position as good as anyone,” Kyle Shanahan told the media this week ahead of their Monday Night Football matchup agains the Colts.

“Think he had 27 throws in that game [vs. Seattle], and every ball goes to the exact right spot,” he continued. “He attacked their coverages great. He played against a very good pass rush and was able to get rid of the ball.”

“He’s one of the best quarterbacks I’ve ever watched, and he definitely helped that team,” Shanahan concluded.

Veteran signal caller Brian Hoyer agreed with Coach Shanahan’s analysis, saying that it “wasn’t too hard for Phillip to read defenses(Seattle top 5 defense) in 2025 after not playing for 5 years and with 3 days of preparation.”

The 10-4 San Francisco 49ers are 3-point favorites over the 8-6 Indianapolis Colts heading into Monday night’s game. The game is effectively a playoff game for Indy as they look to stay in the hunt for the 7th and final seed in the AFC playoffs.