Coaches, executives expect 'disaster' if Philip Rivers plays for Colts in NFL return

Understandably, 44-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers ending his retirement to sign with the Indianapolis Colts' practice squad this week became the most interesting NFL-related story of the first half of December. 

Rivers hasn't played since he featured for the Colts during the 2020 season, but some are nevertheless convinced that he can still "spin it" and that his arm strength hasn't left him. However, it seems others within the NFL think the Rivers experiment will end poorly for everybody involved. 

Will Colts' Philip Rivers move be a disaster?

Specifically, Jeff Howe of The Athletic "asked nine coaches and executives around the NFL" about "if there was any realistic upside" to the Colts signing Rivers. 

"Three settled on the notion Rivers must have been better than the alternative, while the rest were skeptical — at best," Howe shared. 

Colts head coach Shane Steichen clearly thought he didn't have a better alternative in the building earlier this week when journeyman Brett Rypien was the only healthy quarterback available for the club. Daniel Jones is out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon, and Anthony Richardson Sr. may not play before 2026 due to an orbital fracture. Rookie Riley Leonard is dealing with a strained knee ligament, and it's unknown if he could serve even as Rivers' backup when the 8-5 Colts play at the 10-3 Seattle Seahawks this coming Sunday. 

"Fun story," one unnamed executive told Howe about the Colts signing Rivers. "But I think it’s going to be a disaster." 

Colts have a brutal schedule through Week 18

By all accounts, Steichen is using midweek practices to get Rivers ready to start at Seattle's Lumen Field. Following Week 15, the Colts will face the San Francisco 49ers (9-4), the Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4) and the Houston Texans (8-5). Houston is responsible for arguably the league's best overall defense. 

"Looking at their schedule, it’s not going to work," a second executive told Howe. "They have a tough road with really good defenses. Philip is a sitting duck."

Howe added that people who played against or studied Rivers during the veteran's last active season noticed that he "was losing arm strength" then. History shows it's unlikely Rivers has since reclaimed the arm strength he possessed in his prime. 

As of Thursday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Colts as 14-point underdogs against the Seahawks. That says plenty about how ugly some insiders think Sunday's contest in Seattle could get. The Colts trail the Texans in the battle for the AFC's final wild-card playoff spot via Houston's win over Indianapolis in Week 13.