The shocking un-retirement of Philip Rivers caught the NFL by storm during the week. The 44-year-old quarterback signed with the Indianapolis Colts after an injury to Daniel Jones, and according to reports, he’s being prepared to start on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.
Rivers’ return could easily become one of the most interesting storylines of the season. He has not played since 2020, the year he signed a one-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts after spending a decade and a half with the Los Angeles Chargers. A return after four years seemed unthinkable, but it happened.
Tom Brady Highlights Reasons For Philip Rivers’ Comeback After Four Seasons Away
Brady, who himself returned to the NFL after a brief retirement following the 2021 season, appeared on Colin Cowherd’s show to talk about the return of Rivers. He told Cowherd he was excited, because the return “speaks to how much [Rivers] loves the game and what he’s able to do still.”
Rivers left the NFL in 2020, not because he was incapable. He had a solid season with the Indianapolis Colts, leading the team to a playoff appearance in a COVID-19 ravaged season. But his advanced age had started to take a toll already.
There was also the fact that the Chargers, the team that he played for from 2004 to 2019, decided to move on. Los Angeles had one of the top picks in the 2020 draft and ended with quarterback Justin Herbert, who’s now their franchise quarterback. Rivers had just a one-year deal with the Colts.
Whatever the reasons for Rivers to accept a return, he’ll have big shoes to fill. Our PFSN QB Impact Metric puts Daniel Jones with an impact score of 86.5, with a B grade for his performances.
Rivers returned to the Colts after Jones suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Week 14, which will require surgery and ended his season. Jones also has a one-year deal with the team, and his future is now in question. He’ll miss most of the offseason with his recovery, and this will hurt his negotiations for the upcoming season.
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In 2023, the Colts spent the fourth overall pick on quarterback Anthony Richardson. So far, he has been a big disappointment; he is also currently on the injured reserve, which is why Indianapolis looked at outside options.
With Rivers returning to the league, he instantly becomes the oldest player in the NFL. Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who’s 42, told reporters on Thursday that he “loves the return because he’s not the oldest guy in the league now.”