The Indianapolis Colts‘ 2025 season is in peril of ending on a bitter notice, as quarterback Daniel Jones went down with a torn Achilles in Sunday’s loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. With the division and a playoff spot on the road, the 8-5 Colts are contemplating bringing again the quarterback that began for them the final time Indianapolis made the postseason.
In keeping with CBS Sports activities NFL Insider Jonathan Jones, the Colts are internet hosting Philip Rivers for a exercise this week to see if he may probably be part of their roster. Rivers turned 44 years outdated on Monday, and was named a semifinalist for the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame simply final month.
If Rivers, who’s now a grandfather, have been to signal with the Colts, he would be part of a new-look quarterback room headlined by rookie Riley Leonard and Brett Rypien. Rivers’ oldest little one, Halle, is just a few months older than Leonard.
There are 4 quarterbacks 44 or older to start out an NFL sport: Tom Brady, Vinny Testaverde, Warren Moon and Steve DeBerg. Subsequent Sunday, it should have been 1,800 days, or virtually 5 years, since Rivers final took a snap in an NFL sport, in response to CBS Sports activities Analysis.
Oldest beginning quarterbacks in NFL historical past
|
Tom Brady |
45 years, 5 months, 13 days |
Buccaneers |
2022 |
|
Steve DeBerg |
44 years, 9 months, 6 days |
Falcons |
1998 |
|
Vinny Testaverde |
44 years, 26 days |
Panthers |
2007 |
|
Warren Moon |
44 years, 8 days |
Chiefs |
2000 |
|
Doug Flutie |
42 years, 2 months, 10 days |
Chargers |
2004 |
Rivers final performed in 2020 for the Colts. He led Indy to an 11-5 report and a playoff berth, whereas throwing for 4,169 yards, 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The previous No. 4 general decide within the 2004 NFL Draft spent 16 of his 17 NFL seasons with the San Diego-turned Los Angeles Chargers. An eight-time Professional Bowl quarterback, Rivers went 134-106 as a starter, and at the moment ranks seventh all-time in passing yards (63,440) and sixth in landing passes (421).
How would this affect Rivers’ Corridor of Fame eligibility?
For the primary time, Rivers is eligible for induction into the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame. He was not too long ago among the many 26 modern-era candidates who made the minimize as semifinalists. Drew Brees and fellow 2004 draftee Eli Manning are the opposite modern-era quarterbacks who’re at the moment eligible for enshrinement subsequent summer season in Canton, Ohio.
The Corridor of Fame requires a participant to be retired for 5 seasons earlier than he’s eligible for induction. Underneath these guidelines, Rivers would now not be eligible for induction this 12 months ought to be select to signal with the Colts. If his performs this season, Rivers’ Corridor of Fame eligibility would reset, which means he would not be eligible for induction till 2031.
This offseason, Rivers mentioned on the “Dan Patrick Present” that he was receiving curiosity from groups in 2021 and 2022. The New Orleans Saints even known as Rivers and Drew Brees in 2021.
“The rationale there was just a little little bit of a wait is there have been a few November/Decembers there in 2021 and 2022 the place I used to be staying prepared,” Rivers mentioned. “I threw on shoulder pads just a few occasions and a helmet and was throwing within the yard and dealing simply in case. And there have been just a few issues that sort of acquired shut. However then the final two years I just about knew I used to be completed.”
Nevertheless, it will seem Rivers will not be 100% completed. There’s nonetheless work to be completed and hurdles to clear, however there seems to be professional mutual curiosity between Rivers and the Colts.
