Philip Rivers Returns to the NFL at 44 - And It Shows in Colts' Loss to Seahawks
It’s been nearly five years since Philip Rivers last took an NFL snap, but on Sunday, the 44-year-old quarterback was back under center for the Indianapolis Colts - and the rust was hard to miss.
Rivers, who retired after the 2020 season, was called out of retirement last week after a brutal run of injuries left the Colts scrambling for answers at quarterback. Starter Daniel Jones was lost for the season with an Achilles injury in Week 14, and backup Riley Leonard went down with a knee injury in the same game. With the Colts still clinging to playoff hopes, the team turned to a familiar face - even if that face is now a little grayer.
Rivers took the field against the Seattle Seahawks in a high-stakes matchup, but it didn’t take long for the physical toll of time away from the league to show. In the second quarter, Rivers found himself under pressure and tried to escape a collapsing pocket.
What followed was a play that reminded everyone just how long it's been since he last suited up. Rivers stumbled to the turf attempting to evade a sack, then got back to his feet only to awkwardly dive forward again - a sequence that looked more like a coach demonstrating a drill than a quarterback leading a two-minute offense.
To be fair, Rivers was never known for his mobility - he made a career out of quick decision-making and a tough, competitive edge. But on this play, the years away from live NFL action were on full display. It was a moment that encapsulated the challenge of stepping back into the league at an age when most players have long since moved on.
Still, this comeback isn’t just about nostalgia. The Colts are in survival mode, and Rivers, despite the rust, brings experience and leadership to a locker room that’s been through the wringer.
He knows the playbook - having played for Indianapolis in 2020 - and he’s no stranger to high-pressure situations. Whether he can shake off the cobwebs quickly enough to keep the Colts in the playoff hunt remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, back in Alabama, Rivers' high school team at St. Michael Catholic is watching their head coach take on one more NFL challenge.
Under his leadership, the program has seen a remarkable turnaround, going 12-2 last season and improving to 13-1 this year. It’s clear Rivers still has the competitive fire - whether on the sidelines or under center.
When the season ends, Rivers is expected to return to his coaching duties. But for now, he’s back in the huddle, trying to help the Colts write one more improbable chapter in a season full of twists.
And if nothing else, Sunday reminded us all: the NFL doesn’t get any easier with time - even for a future Hall of Famer.