The Indianapolis Colts made one of the shocking moves in recent sports history when they signed Philip Rivers, following the devastating season-ending Achilles injury to Daniel Jones. The 44-year-old quarterback has not played in the NFL since the 2020 NFL season and was listed as a semi-finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The decision to bring the eight-time Pro Bowl quarterback out of retirement was a polarizing one. While many are excited to see the veteran play quarterback once again, one former player gave some harsh criticism to the Colts for their decision.
Ryan Clark Criticizes the Colts’ Decision to Sign Philip Rivers
“I believe this is foul … I believe this is incompetent, and I also believe it is irresponsible,” said Super Bowl champion and current ESPN NFL analyst Ryan Clark, of the Colts’ decision to sign Rivers.
After last playing in the AFC Wild Card Playoff game on January 9, 2021, Rivers is set to take his first NFL snap in nearly five full years.
The veteran quarterback is familiar with the system and has played for the Colts in the past; however, it’s not the mental aspect of the game that worries Clark and others. Instead, it is the physical part of the game, and the toll that taking hits from NFL players has on the body, especially when the body is no longer accustomed to taking those hits.
Rivers will be thrust into the fire in his first game back, playing against the Seattle Seahawks, who rank as the No. 3 defensive unit in the NFL in PFSN’s Defense impact metrics (DEFi).
However, that’s just the first part of a four-game gauntlet against the San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Houston Texans to end the season, whose defenses rank 24th, ninth, and first, respectively, in DEFi.
“Don’t get me wrong, if somebody called me after five years and said you can play, I might go try and give them a play too,” Clark added. “Philip ain’t wrong, Shane Steichen and the Colts are.”
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Rivers has a 134-106 record in 240 career starts, completing 64.9% of his passes for 63,440 yards, 421 yards, and 209 interceptions.
He ranks in the top 10 all-time in career passing yards, completions, attempts, and touchdowns, and will look to make one last playoff push to help bolster his Hall of Fame case.
Once he is added to the active roster, his clock for Hall of Fame eligibility will be delayed by five years, and he will have to wait until then to see his name on the ballot.
Indianapolis figures to lean heavily on the league leader in rushing yards and touchdowns, Jonathan Taylor, down the stretch, to help Rivers out. Opposing defenses will likely look to gear up to stop Taylor and force Rivers to beat them. How the 44-year-old holds up against some of the league’s best defensive units remains to be seen, but he figures to be one of the top storylines for the remainder of the season, as the Colts try to make a playoff push.