John Lynch Provides Philip Rivers with First Opportunity as Quarterback

It’s not every day that an NFL general manager gets to watch a quarterback he once faced on the field, but that’s exactly what will happen on “Monday Night Football” when John Lynch tunes in to see the 49ers take on Philip Rivers and the Indianapolis Colts.

Lynch shared a fun story with KNBR’s “Murph & Markus” show before the big game, reminiscing about how Rivers’ first NFL action with the Chargers back in ’05 was thanks to a sack from Lynch, who was then playing for the Broncos.

“So we were playing them in ’05, I believe. I’m a member of the Broncos, and that was right when the Chargers were turning around,” Lynch remembered. “They had a loaded roster. They were coming off some tough times, but Drew Brees was the quarterback … I came off the corner. I sacked Brees. He goes in to get the ball, he dislocates his right shoulder, walks to the tunnel, and walks off the field.

“Then comes Philip Rivers … and that was Philip’s first action. Our kids ended up going to the same school down in San Diego, we became buddies and we always have fun with that, that I kind of got him his opportunity in the NFL.”

Rivers’ debut with the Chargers came after a brutal injury to Brees late in the second quarter of that game. Although Rivers struggled, he went on to have a successful career with the Chargers, leading the team to a 14-2 record in his first year as a starter.

Lynch expressed his admiration for Rivers and the respect he has for him as a player and a person. He marveled at the fact that he is now watching a former opponent face the 49ers on the field.

Rivers, who came out of retirement for a second stint with Indianapolis, will make his second start of the season against the 49ers on Monday night. The game will take place at Lucas Oil Stadium, where the Colts will look to bounce back after a recent downturn in performance.

It’s always fun to hear these kinds of behind-the-scenes stories from the world of NFL football, where players, coaches, and general managers all have interesting connections and shared histories. As fans, it adds an extra layer of excitement and intrigue to the game when we know the personal stories behind the players on the field. Let’s see how it all plays out on Monday night as the 49ers face off against the Colts!