In a surprising twist, it seems Philip Rivers will don a suit for an NFL game for the first time in almost five years.
Rivers, who just turned 44 and recently welcomed a grandchild, finds himself in this position due to injuries sidelining both Daniel Jones and Riley Leonard, leaving the Indianapolis Colts with few options.
He knows the offense well, having played under Shane Steichen in 2020, a time when things went quite well for the team.
Despite his relatively brief time out of the league, past star Warren Moon offered Rivers some guidance. He stressed the importance of relying on the running game, particularly with Jonathan Taylor in the mix. Moon noted that the offensive line needs to stand strong to avoid long-yardage situations—something Rivers could struggle with.
“It’s tough if you’re stuck in those long downs,” Moon pointed out, mentioning that after such a long hiatus, it’s unclear how quickly Rivers can escape pressure in the pocket.
Moon also admitted he was a bit hesitant about Rivers returning after so long, saying, “Even if he’s stayed active coaching, the shift in speed since his retirement could be a challenge.” The former quarterback wondered about Rivers’ reaction time now. Would he still have that quickness needed to move the ball efficiently?
The Colts started strong this season with a 7-1 record but have stumbled lately, losing four out of five games. They will head to Seattle, where Rivers will likely aim to keep their playoff dreams alive.
