The Indianapolis Colts were desperate for a quarterback when their head coach Shane Steichen asked the 44-year-old Philip Rivers to unretire. Many doubted how this decision would pan out and whether Rivers could play well. 

In a post-game conference after the Colts lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Rivers was seen shedding tears and sharing his feelings after what could be his last game in the league. This time for real. 

“Other than us not winning ... it's been an absolute blast for three weeks,” he said.

“If I go back and say, 'All right, now you know everything's going to happen, what are you going to do?' I'd do it all again. It's been absolutely awesome. So, yeah, I mean, if it's the last one, it's the last one.”

The Colts Had No Other Option

Rivers came back to the league after the Colts found themselves marred with injured key players. Starting quarterback Daniel Jones tore his ankle, rendering him unfit to play this season. He was replaced later by rookie Riley Leonard.

Leonard, however, was out with an injured knee. Colts' backup, Anthony Richardson, was unavailable due to an eye injury, leaving the Colts devoid of any quarterback. 

Rivers is a seasoned player. His final NFL season was in 2020, and he spent it with the Colts. He has scored 24 touchdowns for 4169 yards and thrown 11 interceptions that season.

In his final match, Rivers scored two touchdowns for 309 yards against the Bills.

Rivers joined the Colts after the team slipped from its initial good performance. He completed 58 of 92 passes (making it  63%) in the three starts he has made against the Seahawks, 49ers, and Jaguars. He scored four touchdowns for 544 yards and was intercepted three times.

What’s Next For Philip Rivers?

He said he had never imagined coming back as an active player after his final match against the Bills in 2020. Rivers expressed his happiness to have attended the opportunity to play, but admitted there is no comeback after this.

“I thought the last one was walking off the field in Buffalo or walking up that tunnel,” he said. 

“And I was fine with that. And that one had tears those few days after. And I was at peace with that being the last one. So, certainly if it is [the last game], I got three bonus games that I never saw coming and couldn't be more thankful that I got an opportunity.”

Rivers is set to go back home to Alabama and continue as the head coach at St. Michael Catholic.

Written by

Akanksha Biradar

Edited by

Joyita Das