Philip Rivers’ return to the gridiron is being fast-tracked, as the Indianapolis Colts will start the 44-year-old at quarterback for their Week 15 road matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, according to NFL Network. Rivers ended his five-year retirement on Tuesday, signing with the Colts practice squad. Now, he’s once again a starting quarterback.
The Colts are desperate at quarterback. Daniel Jones suffered a torn Achilles in last Sunday’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Former No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson is on injured reserve with an orbital fracture. Rookie Riley Leonard, who was expected to replace Jones in the starting lineup, has a knee injury, but is off the injury report. With the Colts’ season on the line at 8-5, they are turning to the quarterback that last led them to the playoffs.
Rivers spent 16 of his 17 NFL seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers, but his last season came in 2020 with the Colts. He threw for 4,169 yards, 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while the Colts went 11-5 and earned a wild card spot. Rivers’ final NFL game came on Jan. 9, 2021 — a 27-24 playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills, in which he completed 27 of 46 passes for 309 yards and two touchdowns.
An eight-time Pro Bowler, Rivers went 134-106 as a starter in his incredible career, and ranks seventh all-time in passing yards (63,440) and sixth in touchdown passes (421). Fewer than five months ago, Rivers signed a one-day contract with the Chargers and announced his retirement. The franchise even put out an emotional video. But things have changed and Rivers will be back in an NFL uniform on Sunday in Seattle.
Why did the Colts sign Rivers?
Why did the Colts go and sign the 44-year-old Rivers instead of a free agent like Ryan Tannehill, or maybe even another NFL legend like Tom Brady? It’s likely because Rivers has familiarity with the Colts franchise, coach Shane Steichen and the team’s offensive system.
Rivers has been a high school football coach at Fairhope (Ala.) St. Michael Catholic, where he coaches his son Gunner Rivers — who is also a quarterback. CBS Sports broadcaster and NFL legend J.J. Watt recently learned that Rivers ran the same offense as the Colts for his son’s team. If you don’t believe that, Rivers and Steichen apparently spoke weekly about their scheme, discussing plays and even film. It’s a reason why the Colts are starting Rivers five days after he rejoined the NFL.
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The historical impact
Rivers will become the fifth quarterback to start an NFL game at age 44 or older. He adds his name to a list that includes Brady, Vinny Testaverde, Warren Moon and Steve DeBerg. Sunday marks 1,800 days since Rivers’ last NFL game, according to CBS Sports Research. It’s the longest layoff by a 40-year-old starting quarterback in NFL history. The previous record was DeBerg in 1998 (1,777 days).
Rivers is older than Steichen and Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald, making it the sixth instance since 1950 where a starting quarterback was older than both head coaches in a game. In fact, Rivers is older than 13 NFL head coaches.
Rivers has 10 children, and is a grandfather. Now, he has been charged with saving the Colts’ season.
The matchup against Seattle
The Seahawks are a tough matchup for Rivers right off the bat, as Seattle already matched its win total from last season at 10-3 and boasts a ferocious defense. This unit ranks second in the NFL in points per game allowed (17.4), yards per play allowed (4.5) and third-down defense (33%). Seattle has allowed just nine total points over the past two games, and leads the NFL with six non-offensive touchdowns.
Unfortunately for the Colts, the Week 15 matchup against Seattle isn’t the only tough game remaining on the schedule. Indy actually has the toughest remaining schedule in the NFL (.692 opponent win percentage). Three of the Colts’ final four opponents rank top seven in the NFL in pressures.
Colts’ chances to make the playoffs
What are the chances Rivers can come in and deliver for the Colts, stop their slide and get Indy back to the postseason? Let’s take a look at what SportsLine’s data says:
|
Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4) |
49.6% |
96.5% |
|
Houston Texans (8-5) |
44.2% |
86.7% |
|
Indianapolis Colts (8-5) |
6.3% |
41.8% |
AFC playoff picture
Here is how the AFC looks through 14 weeks
As the data indicates, losing Jones is a massive blow. But the Colts were crashing even before their quarterback went down. The Colts lost three straight games since starting 8-2, and also lost star cornerback Sauce Gardner (calf) and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (neck) to injury.
Indianapolis is in danger of becoming the first NFL team to start 8-2 or better and miss the playoffs since the 1995 Oakland Raiders, but the Colts are hoping this Hail Mary at quarterback pays immediate dividends.