If nothing else, the Indianapolis Colts changed the narrative of their diminishing 2025 season with the signing of a quarterback who hasn't played since 2020. Philip Rivers might have been on the verge of being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That will have to wait.
In fact, if Rivers, who signed with Indy this week after starting quarterback Daniel Jones tore his Achilles tendon in Week 14, plays in a game for the Colts, his clock for potentially making the Hall of Fame will restart in 2030. Maybe he doesn't care. He just wants to play football.
In his opening press conference on Wednesday, upon his return to the team he played for in 2020, Rivers said succinctly, "I felt like it was a gift." It is for the player, as he didn't think he'd ever play again. His return might be a gift for fans, too.
Philip Rivers relishes the "gift" of being able to play for the Indianapolis Colts
The truth is that Rivers has no business being good immediately after not playing for half a decade. His signing with Indy seems like something more out of a film plot than reality. If he plays in the final four games of the regular season (and based on practice footage, he might), how well he and the team do will determine if that film is a horror flick or a feel-good comedy.
Still, potentially, the Colts are better off with Philip Rivers behind center than Riley Leonard or Brett Rypien. Leonard has not displayed that he can throw efficiently when needed to, but he does add an element of being able to run. Rypien cannot do much at all very well.
Rivers, at least, has the awareness of where the ball needs to go, how to run Shane Steichen's offense, and how to keep turnovers to a minimum. What he might lack in physical ability currently, he would not in terms of the mental process of a game. That never truly leaves.
The veteran quarterback has always been able to use his high football IQ to win games and be productive, even more than any raw skill set. This is what the Indianapolis Colts need for the rest of the year.
The team is still in a position to possibly get to the playoffs with a couple of victories in its last four games. Rivers might give Indy a better chance to win those games than Leonard or Rypien. Ultimately, that is all that matters.