Philip Rivers hadn’t taken a live NFL snap in nearly four years. Now, at 44, he’s back under center for the Indianapolis Colts - and his return is already turning heads across the league.
After stepping in last week against the Seahawks, Rivers is expected to start again when the 8-6 Colts host the 10-4 San Francisco 49ers on Dec. 22. And while the Colts came up just short in Seattle, falling 18-16, Rivers’ presence has already added a fascinating twist to the AFC playoff race - and caught the attention of 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan.
Shanahan’s Familiarity With Rivers Runs Deep
There’s some history here. Rivers and 49ers defensive assistant Gus Bradley go way back - Bradley was the Chargers’ defensive coordinator during Rivers’ tenure in Los Angeles. So when Rivers was chatting with Bradley last week, Shanahan found himself in the room, too.
"Gus just came down to my room, and got to talk to [Rivers] for a little bit,” Shanahan said. “I was telling him how cool it would be [to come back], and then at about 10 seconds into it, I realized that we were playing against him in 10 days. So, I tried to kind of sway away from that and tell him how dumb it would be, but it didn’t work.”
That’s classic Shanahan - dry humor with a dose of real football awareness. Because while Rivers may be a few years removed from his last NFL start, Shanahan knows better than to overlook him.
Rusty? Sure. But Rivers Still Has the Tools
Rivers’ performance in Seattle showed flashes of the quarterback we’ve come to know over nearly two decades. He completed 18-of-27 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown.
The timing wasn’t perfect, and his last throw - a late-game interception - reminded everyone that game speed isn’t something you simulate in practice. But for a guy who hadn’t played since January 2021?
That was more than respectable.
And it’s not just about the numbers. It’s about the leadership, the command of the huddle, and the willingness to take hits in the pocket - things that don’t show up in the box score but matter deeply to coaches and teammates.
Shanahan emphasized exactly that on Monday.
“I think he’s capable of it,” he said when asked about Rivers’ ability to still make plays. “I respect him as much as any quarterback I’ve ever studied. What I admire the most is someone at that age to be able to come in there and want to play the right way, which is hanging in that pocket and taking some of those hits.”
That’s high praise from one of the league’s most respected offensive minds. Shanahan also pointed out that Rivers isn’t the type to dip a toe back into the NFL waters. If he’s back, it’s because he’s all in - mentally, physically, and competitively.
This Isn’t Rivers’ First Brush With the 49ers
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Rivers has been connected to San Francisco in recent years. Back in 2022, when the 49ers were dealing with injuries to both Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo, Rivers stayed in touch with the team and even participated in some install meetings via Zoom. While nothing came of it then, it’s clear Shanahan has long respected Rivers’ football IQ and preparation.
Now, that mutual respect turns into competition.
Playoff Implications Loom Large
The stakes are high heading into this Week 16 matchup. The 49ers are firmly in the NFC playoff picture, sitting just behind the 11-3 Seahawks and Rams in the NFC West. A win keeps them in striking distance for the division crown - and potentially a higher seed.
For the Colts, every game is now must-win territory. At 8-6, they’re chasing the 9-5 Houston Texans for the AFC’s final wild-card spot. Rivers’ return may have started as a feel-good story, but it’s quickly becoming a critical chapter in Indy’s playoff push.
As of Tuesday morning, oddsmakers had the 49ers as 5.5-point road favorites. But with Rivers back at the helm, the Colts have a veteran presence who’s seen just about every coverage, every blitz, and every December pressure cooker the NFL can throw at a quarterback.
So yes, he’s older. Yes, he’s still shaking off the rust.
But don’t let the gray hairs fool you - Philip Rivers knows how to win football games. And come Dec. 22, the 49ers will have to prove they can outplay a quarterback who’s made a career out of silencing doubters.