Fans stunned by Philip Rivers’ performance as 49ers star cashes in $500K on Monday Night Football

Dec 23, 2025 - 03:15

It’s been the unlikeliest story of the entire year.

The return of 44-year-old Philip Rivers to help keep the Indianapolis Colts afloat over the final month of the season.

Philip Rivers #17 of the Indianapolis Colts warms up prior to the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Lucas Oil Stadium — Rivers originally retired from the NFL in 2020

On Monday Night Football against the San Francisco 49ers, Rivers turned in a first-half performance that left fans in disbelief.

Rivers was 14-for-21 for 175 yards and two touchdowns in the first half. He was turning back the clock at Lucas Oil Stadium.

“Rivers returning might actually get him in the HOF faster despite 5-year reset,” The Athletic’s Mike Sando posted on X.

“Phil Rivers is UNDENIABLE,” Pat McAfee chimed in.

“Philip Rivers is the best of all time at the line of scrimmage. Everyone watching tonight that was on the fence about him being a Hall of Famer has now been pushed over said fence,” one fan added.

Meanwhile, on the opposite sideline, a 49ers player just got $500,000 richer.

Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne had a contract incentive that would pay him half a million dollars if he recorded over 500 receiving yards on the year.

In Week 16, Bourne has cashed in.

Bourne didn’t originally join the 49ers until after Week 1, taking extra time to weigh his options after drawing early interest from both San Francisco and the Washington Commanders.

That patience paid off financially. Bourne’s contract includes up to $5 million in incentives, one of which awards him $500,000 if he reaches 500 receiving yards during the 2025 season.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (84) leaves the field following the National Football League game between the San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns — Bourne has been an underrated weapon for San Francisco this season

Philip Rivers #17 of the Indianapolis Colts warms up prior to the game against the San Francisco 49ers — Rivers has handled himself well

Despite posting consecutive 142-yard outings against the Rams and Buccaneers in Weeks 5 and 6, Bourne enters the final three games of the season sitting just one yard short of the bonus, with 499 receiving yards.

Earlier this week, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan addressed whether player incentives factor into his play-calling.

While Shanahan said he generally prefers not to know about them, he admitted he is aware of Bourne’s situation and made it clear the responsibility rests with the receiver, not the coaching staff.

“I know K.B.’s one yard away from his bonus, but the fact that he spun on that screen at the last deal of the game, I said it’s on him,” Shanahan said.

“But we should be able to get one more.”

Spoiler alert, they did.

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