Philip Rivers was preparing for what looked like the closing chapter of his football life just a week ago, with Hall of Fame conversations beginning to surface around his name. Instead, the former Indianapolis Colts quarterback is about to take an NFL snap for the first time in five years.
At 44, Rivers is making a stunning return to the league after a rash of injuries decimated the Colts’ quarterback room. And this is no ceremonial comeback. Rivers, who had been out of football since the 2020 season, will start Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks as Indianapolis fights to stay alive in the playoff race.
The Colts signed Rivers to the practice squad earlier this week before adding him to the 53-man roster on Saturday, clearing the way for the veteran to move from retirement straight into the starting role.
According to FOX NFL Sunday host Curt Menefee, while older quarterbacks have played in the league, no quarterback of Rivers’ age has ever gone this long between two NFL starts.
One of the few men to play quarterback at an older age than Rivers — Tom Brady — weighed in during an appearance on FOX NFL Sunday, suggesting that the speed of the modern game could be the biggest adjustment for Rivers after such a long layoff.
Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw struck a more optimistic tone, noting that Rivers could mitigate those challenges by operating largely out of the shotgun, relying on quick reads, short throws and his football intelligence to exploit zone defenses. Howie Long added some humor to the situation, joking that the comeback felt like an insurance loophole, as players lose certain benefits five years after retirement.
The odds are undeniably steep. When Rivers first received the call about trying out for the Colts, he admitted he didn’t even own turf shoes anymore. According to Jay Glazer, Rivers had to dig through a trophy case at home to find an old pair before heading to workouts.
So why return now?
Beyond his well-known love for the game, Rivers told Glazer that the opportunity carried a deeper meaning. Having transitioned into coaching after retirement, Rivers said he wanted to show his children what it looks like to take a chance — and not live in fear or doubt.
Despite the skepticism surrounding the comeback, at least one Hall of Fame quarterback believes Rivers can still deliver. NFL Network’s Kurt Warner predicted Rivers would throw for 225 yards and two touchdowns in his first game back.
Rivers’ résumé leaves little doubt about what he once was. Over 17 NFL seasons, he posted a 64.9 career completion percentage, threw 421 touchdowns against 209 interceptions, and built a body of work widely considered worthy of Canton. Even in his final season in 2020, Rivers was productive, throwing 24 touchdowns, 11 interceptions and leading Indianapolis to the playoffs.
Whether any of that remains after five years away from the game will be revealed in Week 15. No analyst can say for certain how it will unfold.
What is clear, though, is that Philip Rivers’ return feels like something pulled straight from a movie script — an aging quarterback, a desperate team and one last chance. The Colts are hoping reality delivers a storybook ending.