The Indianapolis Colts are pulling off one of the most unexpected moves of the NFL season - and maybe one of the most desperate - by bringing 44-year-old Philip Rivers out of retirement in the middle of a playoff push. With Daniel Jones sidelined for the year after last week’s injury against Jacksonville, the Colts are turning to a familiar face, signing Rivers to the practice squad ahead of their Week 15 showdown with the Seattle Seahawks.
Yes, that Philip Rivers - the one who last played in 2021 and has spent the past few years coaching high school football in Alabama while waiting for his Hall of Fame call. Now, he’s back in the NFL, and he might be under center as soon as Sunday.
According to team sources, Rivers still has the arm talent that made him one of the league’s most prolific passers. But the mobility?
That’s another story. At 44, he’s never been known for his legs, and time hasn’t exactly added any wheels.
With Seattle boasting one of the NFL’s most aggressive pass rushes - they’re ranked fourth in sacks - Rivers could be in for a long afternoon if the Colts can’t protect him.
That likely means a heavy dose of Jonathan Taylor in the game plan. Expect the Colts to lean on their star running back to control the tempo, move the chains, and keep Rivers from having to drop back too often against a ferocious front seven. Think ball control, play-action, and short-to-intermediate throws - classic Rivers football with a 2025 twist.
Make no mistake, this is a Hail Mary from Indianapolis. They’ve dropped three straight, falling to 8-5, and while they’re still very much in the playoff mix, the road ahead is brutal.
After Seattle, they’ve got the 49ers, Jaguars, and Texans - all playoff-caliber teams, all with winning records. The margin for error is razor-thin.
Rivers last suited up for the Colts in 2020, when he threw for over 4,100 yards and 24 touchdowns, leading the team to an 11-5 record and a playoff berth. He walked away after that season, seemingly content with his career.
Since then, he’s been coaching at St. Michael Catholic School, where he led the team to a 13-1 record.
But now, he's back in Indy, trying to help a franchise that’s once again turning to him in a moment of need.
And yes, he’ll be wearing No. 17 - the same number he wore throughout his career with the Chargers and Colts. That number belonged to Daniel Jones this season, but Rivers said he reached out personally to ask if he could wear it again.
“I talked or texted with Daniel about him being so gracious about 17, you know,” Rivers said. “That was certainly meaningful to me, and obviously didn’t want it to be like this again and didn’t ever think of anything.
All this happened so fast. But him being gracious and saying, ‘Heck yeah, go for it.’”
It’s a surreal twist to a season that’s been full of surprises. Rivers, who hasn’t thrown an NFL pass in nearly five years, could be stepping into a playoff race with everything on the line. Whether this turns out to be a storybook comeback or a cautionary tale remains to be seen.
Kickoff between the Colts and Seahawks is set for Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET at Lumen Field. One way or another, Philip Rivers is back - and the NFL just got a little more interesting.