Philip Rivers Could Join Exclusive Tom Brady Club After Signing With Colts

For much of the season, the New England Patriots have been competing with the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts atop the AFC. However, the Colts are falling apart, and after losing quarterback Daniel Jones to a torn Achilles tendon in Week 14, the team made the surprising decision to lure Philip Rivers out of retirement.

A 17-year veteran who spent the final season of his career with Indianapolis, Rivers hasn’t played in the NFL since 2020, as he opted to retire after the season. With Jones out, Anthony Richardson on injured reserve, and Riley Leonard dealing with a knee injury, though, the Colts didn’t have anywhere else to turn.

After working out for Indy on Monday night, Rivers signed with the team’s practice squad on Tuesday, and the team will determine over the next few days whether or not he can play in Week 15. Should Rivers play, he’d join an exclusive club of quarterbacks over the age of 44 to start in an NFL game, with that group being highlighted by Tom Brady.

“Philip Rivers could be the 5th QB in NFL history to start a game at age 44 or older, joining Tom Brady, Vinny Testaverde, Steve DeBerg and Warren Moon, per ESPN’s Evan Kaplan,” Adam Schefter of ESPN shared in a post on X.

Brady played well into his 40s, as he finished his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the age of 45. Rivers’ situation is a bit different, of course, because he’s been out of the NFL for nearly five years now, which only adds to the improbability of his comeback attempt.

While Rivers’ arm is still in good shape, it remains to be seen if he can get himself ready for an NFL game in less than a week. With the clock officially ticking, all eyes will be on Rivers to see if he can join this exclusive club with Brady in Week 15.