Philip Rivers' Impact on Colts' Locker Room Discussed by NFL Insiders After Return

Philip Rivers spent five years away from the NFL, but his ability to lead a team isn't a skill he lost in his first retirement stint.

According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, Rivers, who signed with the Indianapolis Colts on Dec. 10, "has won over the entire building" in less than two weeks.

"He controls the entire game," one Colts staffer told Russini. "He's a locker room leader. We all love him."

An AFC executive called Rivers' first start last Sunday inspiring.

"It inspired me! (Colts coach Shane) Steichen should get a contract extension for simply how he managed that game," the exec said. "The defense played its ass off. The offensive line played its ass off. Special teams stepped up. It felt like everyone knew exactly what was required and delivered. They damn near beat an 11-win team because of it."

With starting quarterback Daniel Jones out for the season with a torn Achilles, backup Anthony Richardson still on the injured reserve and third-string quarterback Riley Leonard dealing with a knee injury, the Colts were desperate to find a quarterback that could keep their playoff hopes alive.

They turned to the 44-year-old Rivers, who last played during the 2020 season.

While it was a somewhat surprising move from Indianapolis, Russini reported that those around Rivers said he's in better shape now than he was during his playing days.

CBS's JJ Watt also noted that Rivers had been using the Colts' offense with his son's high school team and had weekly discussions with head coach Shane Steichen.

Rivers' first game under center for the Colts against the Seattle Seahawks was far from the best performance of his tremendous career, but he did enough to give Indianapolis a chance to win. He had 120 passing yards, a touchdown and an interception on 18-of-27 passing.

The Colts trailed by two points with less than two minutes remaining, and Rivers managed to get them in field goal range. Indianapolis took the lead with a field goal, but the Seahawks answered back, leaving less than 20 seconds on the clock.

The Colts couldn't respond, and they dropped their fourth consecutive game.

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Now sitting at 8-6, Indianapolis' playoff hopes are slim, but not completely over. The Colts will need to be perfect through their final three games, and it seems they have a new leader in the locker room capable of inspiring them to finish out the season strong.