Philip Rivers Returns to NFL with Indianapolis Colts
At 44, Philip Rivers is back in the NFL, joining the Indianapolis Colts as they gear up for a playoff push. It’s been a while since he last played—his last game was in 2020—but the Colts are confident he still has what it takes to lead them.
This situation raises an interesting question: how does Tom Brady feel about Rivers’ comeback? On a recent episode of FOX Sports’ The Herd, Brady quipped, “Who retires and retires and finally retires again? Who does that? It’s ridiculous for Phillip to do something like that.” It’s clear he finds humor in the idea of an athlete returning after stepping away.
Speaking of Brady, he jokingly pondered whether he could still perform at 48, saying, “Yes, of course you can.” However, due to his minority ownership stake, getting back into the game isn’t a possibility for him anymore. Brady had famously announced his retirement in February 2022 only to come back with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers just 40 days later, and he subsequently retired “for good” after the 2022 season, which ended in playoff disappointment against the Dallas Cowboys.
Meanwhile, Rivers has been coaching high school football in Alabama since his professional career ended. Now, he finds himself in a position to potentially start in this Sunday’s matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. The Colts are in a tough spot, having lost three games since their bye week, and currently holding an 8-5 record. They need to catch up to the Jacksonville Jaguars, who lead the AFC South at 9-4, while the Houston Texans, boasting the league’s top defense, have also surged to an 8-5 record.
Rivers’ return comes after a series of unfortunate events for the Colts. Daniel Jones, their starting quarterback, tore his Achilles tendon while trying to play through a fractured fibula. Jones had shown promise before this setback, particularly after a revival in his career in 2024. Then, rookie Riley Leonard, who was expected to fill in for Jones, suffered a knee injury, prompting the Colts to reach out to Rivers. After assessing his fitness, the team quickly brought him back, with reports suggesting he has been taking a significant number of first-team reps in practice.
Brady expressed excitement at the prospect of Rivers back on the field, suggesting it underscores Rivers’ passion for the game and his ongoing capabilities. Rivers himself has downplayed the importance of raw athleticism, pointing to his consistent arm strength, accuracy, and decision-making as his key attributes during his time with the Chargers and the Colts.
In wrapping this up, Brady noted the competitive nature of the quarterback position, maintaining that both mental and physical attributes are crucial. As Rivers prepares to take on this new challenge, many are eager to see how he delivers in Seattle this Sunday.
