Philip Rivers, Colts Reunion Predicted to Be 'Disaster' by NFL Exec After Contract

As much fun as the story of Philip Rivers returning to the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts at the age of 44 after five years in retirement is to discuss, the feeling among people around the league is one of great pessimism about things actually working out.

Per The Athletic's Jeff Howe, one executive predicted this is "going to be a disaster."

The Colts signed Rivers to their practice squad on Wednesday. They needed a quarterback after Daniel Jones tore his Achilles in Sunday's loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Riley Leonard, who replaced Jones in that game, suffered a PCL strain, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. He was a full participant in the Colts' first practice on Wednesday leading up to Week 15 against the Seattle Seahawks.

Head coach Shane Steichen indicated to reporters after Wednesday's practice that Leonard's status may not impact the decision of who starts at quarterback this week even if he is healthy enough to play.

Rivers was on the field and throwing with the Colts during their practice.

If Rivers does play against the Seahawks, it will be his first NFL appearance since Jan. 9. 2021. He threw for 309 yards and two touchdowns for the Colts in a 27-24 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC wild card round in what has been his final game up to this point.

Rivers, who turned 44 on Dec. 8, would become the third-oldest starting quarterback in NFL history if he gets the call for Indianapolis before this season ends.

The NFL record for time between appearances for a quarterback is held by Doug Flutie. He went nine years from 1989 to 1998 between games, but he was only 36 when the Buffalo Bills put him on the field in Week 1 of the 1998 season.

Adding to the potential disaster scenario for the Colts is their schedule of opponents to close the season. They have games against the Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans.

Three of those four teams rank in the top five in defensive EPA per play and EPA per pass. The Seahawks and Texans rank among the top nine teams in sacks.

The Colts are looking for anything that can slow down their recent losing skid. They have lost three straight games and trail the Jaguars by one game for first place in the AFC South.