Philip Rivers Returns as Colts’ Starting Quarterback

Philip Rivers has officially made his comeback to the NFL. The Indianapolis Colts have chosen the 44-year-old former quarterback, now a grandfather, to lead their team against the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday.

This marks Rivers’ first game since he retired in 2020.

After announcing his retirement, Rivers shifted his focus to coaching high school football. There were some whispers about a possible return in 2023, but nothing came of it until now. The Colts have faced some setbacks; Daniel Jones suffered a torn Achilles, rookie Riley Leonard is dealing with a knee injury, and Anthony Richardson has also been hurt.

“Honestly, I didn’t think I would play again. I assumed that chapter was closed,” Rivers mentioned earlier this week. He spent 16 seasons with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers before signing with the Colts in 2020. “But when this opportunity arose, it sparked something in me. It’s like the door opened, and I needed to step through it. Sure, there’s risk, but how will I know unless I try?”

Interestingly, Rivers noted that he was actually watching a Colts game just when Jones went down. He couldn’t help but wonder if coach Shane Steichen might reach out to him. “When I saw that, I thought, ‘What just happened?’ As wild as it sounds for a quarterback, I found myself thinking, ‘Will Shane call me?’ The competitor in me felt that excitement immediately,” he said.

If Rivers plays enough games, there’s a chance he could surpass 64,000 career passing yards, already holding 421 touchdowns with a 64.9 completion rate.

Currently, the Colts are in a precarious position. They started the season strong at 7-1 but have now lost four out of their last five games. This matchup against the Seahawks is crucial for their playoff aspirations.