Three games ago, the Indianapolis Colts set the pace in the NFL with an 8-2 record. They have now slumped to 8-5, dropped to third in the AFC South, and are outsiders to make the playoffs. The Colts’ latest defeat, a 36-19 loss to Jacksonville, was the most damaging of all.
Indianapolis not only lost to their divisional rivals – they also lost starting quarterback Daniel Jones to a season-ending ACL injury. To compound matters, replacement Riley Leonard picked up a Grade 1 PCL injury. With Anthony Richardson already on injured reserve, the Colts found their quarterback situation in tatters heading into the crucial closing stretch.
Brett Rypien has been promoted from the practice squad to the active roster ahead of the Week 15 clash with the Seattle Seahawks. However, it is the man who has taken Rypien’s place on the practice squad who has generated the shock headlines. Step forward, 44-year-old father of 10 and a grandfather, Philip Rivers. A man who has been spending his time coaching his son’s high school football team, having last thrown an NFL pass in January 2021.
One Last Dance for All-Time Great?
Philip Rivers emerged as a potential superstar during a record-shredding college career with North Carolina State. Despite his impressive numbers, some questioned how suitable his slightly unorthodox throwing action would be to the NFL. Rivers’ route into the NFL came in the 2004 NFL Draft when selected as the fourth overall pick by the New York Giants, who immediately traded him to the San Diego Chargers for number one pick Eli Manning in a pre-arranged deal.
With Manning leading New York to two Super Bowl wins, the Giants were no doubt happy with their side of the bargain. However, the Chargers received an elite quarterback of their own in Rivers.
In 16 seasons for the Chargers – first in San Diego and later in LA – Rivers led the franchise to the playoffs six times and made eight Pro Bowl appearances between 2006 and 2018. Upon his release in 2019, he held the franchise records for games played, wins, pass completions, passing yards, and passing touchdowns.
Signing a $25 million, one-year deal with Indianapolis in 2020, Rivers threw for 4,169 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions to lead the Colts to the playoffs. A narrow loss to the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card round preceded Rivers’ retirement. Since his departure, Indianapolis have churned through eight starting quarterbacks – none of whom have proved capable of leading the Colts to the postseason.
Seventh on the all-time passing yards list with 63,440 and sixth all-time for passing touchdowns with 421, there is no questioning Rivers’ CV. But how much does he have left in the tank at 44? Enough, appears to be the answer. Having impressed in a workout on Monday, 8th December (his 44th birthday), Rivers was signed to the Colts’ practice squad on Wednesday, 10th December. He becomes the oldest player in the NFL, surpassing Steelers’ QB Aaron Rodgers, who turned 42 on 2nd December.
Familiarity a Bonus
With the upcoming games of such significance, Rivers’ familiarity with the Colts’ system is an advantage. Rivers spent three years working with Colts’ Head Coach Shane Steichen during his time as Quarterbacks Coach and interim Offensive Coordinator at the Chargers.
Rivers and Steichen remain close, with reports suggesting Rivers runs the Colts’ offensive schemes while coaching his son Gunnar’s high school football team.
Hall of Fame Delay?
Having retired in 2021, Rivers became eligible for entry into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2026. Unsurprisingly, he is one of 26 modern era semi-finalists for the class of 2026. However, if he is activated from the practice squad at any stage, his eligibility will be pushed back to 2031. Remaining on the practice squad will maintain his eligibility for 2026.
A Tough Task
Whether Rivers remains part of the practice squad or steps into the limelight once again remains to be seen. However, given the dearth of options at their disposal, it would be no surprise to see the Colts call upon his veteran experience.
Whoever is under centre, the Colts face a tough task to make the playoffs, with their final four games pitting them against the 10-3 Seahawks, 9-4 49ers, 9-4 Jaguars, and 8-5 Texans. Navigate that schedule successfully, and we may yet witness a fairytale post-season appearance that no one saw coming.