Philip Rivers is back in the NFL, and while that news might have shocked fans across the league, it brought a smile to at least one fellow veteran quarterback - Aaron Rodgers. Not because of anything Rivers might do on the field for the Colts, but because, as Rodgers joked, “I’m not the oldest guy in the league - love that.”
At 44, Rivers has two years on Rodgers, who just turned 42 earlier this month. And while Rodgers isn’t exactly itching to reclaim the title of elder statesman, he made it clear he has nothing but respect for Rivers’ surprise return.
“It’s pretty incredible, though,” Rodgers said Thursday. “He’s been out for, I believe, four full seasons, plus this part of this season.
I was laughing because a couple of my buddies hit me up asking what I would do in that situation, and I said without missing a beat, ‘I’m retired, I’m staying retired.’ So, big credit to Phil.”
That’s classic Rodgers - candid, a little self-deprecating, and always quick to tip his cap to a fellow competitor. Rivers, who was drafted in 2004 - a year before Rodgers - has been out of the league for a while now, and his return to Indianapolis caught a lot of people off guard. But if anyone knows what it takes to play quarterback at a high level into their 40s, it’s Rodgers.
While their careers didn’t cross paths often on the field - with Rodgers in the NFC and Rivers spending most of his career in the AFC - there’s long been mutual respect between the two. Rodgers didn’t hesitate to praise Rivers’ unique style and football mind.
“I’ve been a fan of his forever,” Rodgers said. “I’ve known him a little bit over the years.
I’ve just loved the way that he competes, plays. Again, not the most gifted player, but cerebral as all get out.
Hilarious trash talker. I wish him nothing but the best.”
That last part - “not the most gifted player, but cerebral as all get out” - is the kind of compliment that carries weight coming from Rodgers. It’s a nod to Rivers’ football IQ, his ability to dissect defenses, and his knack for elevating those around him, even if he didn’t have the rocket arm or athleticism of some of his peers.
Rodgers also touched on Rivers’ trademark fire - the energy, the chirping, the never-back-down attitude that made him one of the game’s most entertaining quarterbacks to watch. “Hilarious trash talker,” he said with a grin.
And as for expectations? Rodgers is rooting for Rivers to pick up right where he left off.
“I hope he goes out and it’s just like riding a bike and he can jump right back in the saddle - and I expect him to.”
That’s high praise from one of the game’s most cerebral quarterbacks to another. Rodgers might be happy to hand off the “oldest guy in the league” title, but he’s not passing up the chance to show love to a fellow veteran who’s stepping back into the fire.