What happened: Werder pointed to Philip Rivers and Indianapolis as the counterexample to joining a team days before a championship. Indianapolis brought Rivers out of retirement in 2025.

Why it matters: Teams rarely add street free agents that late because scheme and conditioning leave little ramp time. Indianapolis going back to a retired starter remains the outlier that resurfaces whenever the idea comes up.

What to watch: Watch whether any 2026 contender tests a veteran add as injuries pile up down the stretch.