What Philip Rivers' last NFL coach told QB about returning to Colts

Frank Reich served as Philip Rivers' head coach when the quarterback spent the 2020 NFL season with the Indianapolis Colts. Rivers hasn't played since that campaign, so it made sense for the 44-year-old to reach out to Reich about possibly making a shocking in-season return to the NFL and to the Colts ahead of Christmas. 

"If this report is true, then I’m all in," Reich told Rivers, per Zak Keefer of The Athletic. "I have no doubt you can do it." 

Frank Reich believes Philip Rivers is Colts' best option

Reports revealed on Tuesday that the quarterback-desperate Colts were signing Rivers to their practice squad. He seemingly is now on track to start when the 8-5 Colts play at the 10-3 Seattle Seahawks this coming Sunday. 

The Colts lost starting quarterback Daniel Jones to a season-ending torn Achilles tendon this past weekend, and first-choice backup Anthony Richardson Sr. is sidelined due to an orbital fracture. Rookie Riley Leonard took over for Jones during the Colts' 36-19 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Dec. 7, but Leonard is reportedly considered week-to-week with a strained knee ligament. 

"I have no doubt Phil can still play winning football," Reich told Keefer. "Now, it’s a team game, and you got a tough schedule ahead. I don’t know their other quarterbacks well, but from the outside looking in, I do think Philip Rivers gives them the best chance to win the division and get to the playoffs. I really do. I’m not afraid to say that." 

Rivers is familiar with the Colts offense, as he previously had head coach Shane Steichen as his offensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Chargers. 

"It’ll be familiar for Philip," Reich said about Steichen's system. "It’ll be easy. I have zero concern about that." 

Frank Reich praises Colts' Philip Rivers move

History suggests this move will blow up in the faces of Steichen and Rivers. That said, the Colts will head into this coming weekend trailing only the 8-5 Houston Texans in the battle for the AFC's final wild-card playoff spot. Thus, Steichen and Co. understandably feel the risks related to signing Rivers are worth the potential reward. Houston holds the tiebreaker advantage via a Week 13 win over Indianapolis.

"I think it’s a credit to the Colts to have the boldness to make a move like this," Reich told Keefer. "It’s unconventional. But they know the player, and that’s hard to put a price on." 

As of Wednesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Colts as massive 13.5-point underdogs for their matchup at the Seahawks.