Drake Maye Reacts to Philip Rivers’ Shocking NFL Return: “Kudos to Him”
Philip Rivers is back in the NFL - and yes, you read that right.
The 44-year-old quarterback, who last played in 2020, made a stunning return to the field in Week 15, stepping in under center for the Indianapolis Colts. And while the move caught just about everyone off guard, it’s sparked plenty of reaction around the league - including from New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye.
Maye, who’s been developing behind the scenes in Foxborough, had nothing but respect for Rivers’ bold comeback.
Meanwhile, Patriots third-string QB Tommy DeVito took a more cautious stance. While he acknowledged Rivers’ deep knowledge of the game and system, he raised a fair point about the physical demands of returning after such a long layoff.
“That’s a lot of time to be removed from the game to hop back into it,” DeVito said. “I get that he knows the offense, but that almost feels like a ‘danger zone’ depending on how much you’ve been working out or training.
I’m sure he was training, but then there’s football training. Kudos for him giving it a shot.”
And DeVito’s not wrong - there’s a big difference between staying in shape and being game-ready. Football conditioning is a different beast, especially when you’re stepping into live action after a multi-year hiatus.
The Colts turned to Rivers after a brutal run of injuries at the quarterback position. Starter Daniel Jones went down with a torn Achilles in Week 14, and backup Riley Leonard followed with a knee injury.
That left Indianapolis scrambling - and ultimately led them to bring in Rivers for a workout on Dec. 8.
He was signed to the practice squad the very next day.
Fast forward to Week 15, and Rivers was back on the field, making his first NFL start in nearly five years in a tough matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. The numbers?
Solid, all things considered: 18-for-27 passing, 120 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Not exactly vintage Rivers, but also not bad for someone who’s been out of the league since 2020.
Now, the ripple effects of Rivers’ return stretch beyond Indianapolis. The Colts’ playoff hopes are still alive, but so are the Patriots’ - and the next 48 hours could be pivotal.
If the Houston Texans take care of business against the Las Vegas Raiders and the Patriots fall to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday Night Football, New England’s postseason fate will hinge on Monday Night Football. That’s when the San Francisco 49ers face off against the Colts - and a Niners win would punch the Patriots’ ticket to the playoffs.
So yes, somehow, some way, Philip Rivers - back in pads at 44 - could play a role in shaping the AFC playoff picture. Just like old times.