Shawne Merriman had a feeling over the summer that Philip Rivers hadn’t quite turned the lights out on his NFL career just yet.
The former Chargers Pro Bowl linebacker told The Post he got the inkling while talking to his old quarterback out at Antonio Gates’ Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Canton, Ohio.
“The more you talk to him,” Merriman said of his August chat with Rivers, “it seemed like football never really left his system.”
So while the football world was stunned to see Rivers, the eight-time Pro Bowler, re-sign with the Colts this week after four-plus seasons away from the NFL, Merriman said he was “not shocked at all” to get the news.
Philip Rivers last played in an NFL game in January 2021.
And now that it’s officially happened, Merriman said he’s predicting a strong game from Rivers if and when the 44-year-old gets the call to play in Indianapolis’ Sunday matchup with the Seahawks.
“I think he’s going to go out there and look pretty good,” Merriman said. “I really do.”
Rivers was added to the Colts’ practice squad on Wednesday following injuries to the team’s top three QBs — Daniel Jones, Anthony Richardson and Riley Leonard — and there’s a chance he’s activated in time for kickoff in Seattle if Leonard’s ailment still lingers.
Shawne Merriman was Chargers teammates with Philip Rivers from 2005 through 2010.
Rivers last logged an NFL snap in January 2021, and he had been happily coaching his son’s high school football team in Alabama. Although when Colts head coach Shane Steichen reached out about the opportunity to come back, he jumped, telling reporters Wednesday he was excited to get “some bonus time” with his dream.
The father of 10 and grandfather of one admitted he’s a bit heftier than when he last suited up for the Colts, but he joked running away from defenders was never his forté.
Merriman, Rivers’ teammate from 2005 through 2010, made sure to cosign that sentiment during his chat with The Post this week.
But Merriman — whose Lights Out Xtreme Fighting just struck a massive media rights deal this month — said he was sure Rivers would impress if he does get under center at some point at Lumen Field this weekend, something he said Hollywood better be ready for.
Philip Rivers had been coaching his son’s high school football team before rejoining the Colts this week.
“If he goes out there and has success — if he wins the game, that’d be ridiculous,” the 2005 Defensive Rookie of the Year said. “Like, crazy.
“But if he gets these guys in position to be in the playoffs and actually contend, coming back this late, man, I wouldn’t be surprised if Disney Plus got something in the works.”
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