Philip Rivers, a former NFL quarterback, has signed a practice squad contract with the Indianapolis Colts. This action follows a season-ending injury sustained by the Colts' starting quarterback, Daniel Jones.
Rivers' Statements and Family Perspective
In July, during an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show, Rivers, 44, was asked about his ability to play another NFL game. He responded affirmatively, stating he could "get through a game" despite being "a little heavier," and added humorously that he might "need a wheelchair the next morning." On Wednesday, Rivers indicated that his 10 children expressed a mix of excitement, nervousness, and surprise regarding his potential return to the NFL. He recalled a previous conversation with his 6-year-old, who had asked why he no longer played, to which Rivers had replied that coaching would be the extent of his future involvement in football.
Career Overview and League Context
Rivers' career spans 21 years since his initial NFL season. Seth Wickersham, a senior writer at ESPN, noted Rivers' longevity. Wickersham suggested that despite Rivers' lack of speed, his specific skill set aligns with a trend of veteran quarterbacks demonstrating effectiveness in the contemporary NFL. This season, Joe Flacco, another quarterback in his 40s, returned to play for the Cincinnati Bengals following an injury to Joe Burrow.
Rivers achieved 8 Pro Bowl selections during his career, primarily spent with the Chargers from 2004 to 2019. His career statistics position him as a potential "first ballot" Hall of Fame inductee, according to Wickersham. However, active roster participation would reset his Hall of Fame eligibility timeline.
He holds the record for the second-most consecutive regular season starts by an NFL quarterback, with 240, which indicates both durability and strategic play.
Indianapolis Colts and Playoff Implications
The Colts last reached the playoffs with Rivers as their quarterback in the 2020 season, where they lost to the Buffalo Bills in January 2021. Rivers noted that 14 current Colts players were on the team during his previous tenure. He also observed familiarity with the team's training, public relations, and equipment staff, indicating the team's interest in his return.
Indianapolis has recently experienced significant athlete injuries, including Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers and Daniel Jones, who sustained an Achilles tendon tear after playing with a broken fibula. Samantha Horton of WFYI reported on the effect of these injuries on local sports fans, noting public hope for the Colts' playoff aspirations to continue.