Philip Rivers Set to Start for Colts Against Seahawks
It seems likely that 44-year-old Philip Rivers will take the field this Sunday for the Indianapolis Colts, marking their first NFL game since the 2020 season, against the Seattle Seahawks.
This scenario wasn’t really what Colts fans anticipated this season. But due to Daniel Jones suffering a season-ending Achilles injury and rookie Riley Leonard struggling with a knee issue, it’s now a reality.
The Colts are currently vying for a playoff spot in the AFC, holding the first place in the AFC South, just one game behind the Jacksonville Jaguars, who faced a loss in Week 14. With only seven teams from each conference set to advance, the Colts find themselves in the eighth position in the AFC.
While there are some skeptics regarding Rivers’s ability to perform after a five-season hiatus from the NFL, Michael Pittman Jr., who played with Rivers in 2020, maintains that Rivers can do it. Pittman noted that Rivers still exudes the same passion he once had.
“Phil is the same guy,” Pittman remarked while promoting his partnership with Oral-B, the NFL’s official toothbrush. “There’s not much change since the 2020 season. He’s fired up. He’s ready. So you never know what might unfold. I think what’s important is that we’ll be prepared for anything.”
Many doubt Rivers’ capability; he hasn’t played in five years, and, well, he was never the most agile quarterback. He even made some jokes about it during a recent media session.
Nonetheless, Pittman believes people are overlooking an essential point: Colts head coach Shane Steichen’s offensive strategy was initially crafted with Rivers in mind during his time as an assistant with the Chargers.
Pittman explained that during Steichen’s formative coaching days, Rivers was pivotal in shaping the offensive scheme he still employs today. “If you consider that when we go to recruit a player, that’s what many miss. This is an offense that Rivers ran, and that’s why he is one of the best to have. His thinking is sharp, and he retains that drive.”
Rivers has always had a strong mental presence on the field, which contributed to his lengthy career. That competitive edge is evident to Pittman during practices as well.
“He mentioned the word ‘stink’ around a hundred times during his speech. You could sense how much he genuinely cares,” Pittman said with a chuckle. “If he didn’t care, he wouldn’t be back.”
Of course, if Rivers does get to play, Pittman is not hoping to hear his familiar catchphrases too often over the next four games. He has come a long way from his rookie year, developing into a player many believed he could become.
We’ll find out if the Colts make this decision formal later in the week, but Pittman is feeling quite confident about Rivers.
Pittman has been collaborating with Oral-B, recently dubbed the official toothbrush of the NFL. Together with the Colts mascot, Blue, they’re promoting some fun content to advocate proper dental hygiene.
As someone who follows a strict pre-game routine, brushing my teeth is always a priority. “It’s all about the smile,” Pittman expressed. “Oral-B is the official toothbrush of the NFL, making it the ideal partner for us. Their new iO Series toothbrush provides exceptional cleaning power, thus you can perform at your best without any hassle.”
