The Indianapolis Colts signed quarterback Philip Rivers to the practice squad in the days ahead of Week 15 versus the Seattle Seahawks. The team clearly has a plan for the formerly retired QB, but fans still don't know what it is. Will Rivers play? Or will Riley Leonard start?
Jeff George, the former number one overall draft pick for Indy in 1990, is just like many fans. He doesn't seem to understand exactly what the Colts are planning with Rivers, either. After all, Rivers has been retired since the 2020 season, and he is now 44 years old.
Talking with Indianapolis's 107.5 The Fan's Query & Company show, George needed just four words to give his opinion on the return of Rivers. George said, "Don't see an upside" for the team in bringing back a quarterback whose arm talent was diminishing at the end of his career, and who has never moved very well.
Jeff George not a fan of the Indianapolis Colts signing Philip Rivers
George doubled down on his thoughts that while Philip Rivers was once a great quarterback and he might understand head coach Shane Steichen's system well, it is the age of the player that matters. Rivers might know how to run the scheme, but can he physically do so? Quick movements get worse with age, especially for someone who hasn't been hit by an NFL player in five years.
Instead, George believes that Indy should focus on playing rookie Riley Leonard and exploring how good he might be. Ideally, says George, Anthony Richardson would be able to come back from a broken orbital bone sometime in the final four games and play.
The obvious point appears to be that no quarterback currently on the Indianapolis Colts' active roster or practice squad is an ideal fit. When Daniel Jones tore his Achilles tendon in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, that likely ended any hope for Indy to have a highly efficient offense the rest of the season.
Or fans could trust the Colts in their approach. Maybe Rivers was mostly added to be a glorified consultant for Riley Leonard, with whom he has a previous working relationship. Instead of making him a coach, he is a player who can stand next to Leonard during games to offer advice.
But if Jeff George is correct, the addition of Philip Rivers overall is a bad idea. The latter won't help the team much. The playoffs might no longer be possible.