NFL executives give brutally honest takes on Philip Rivers, Colts reunion

Philip Rivers shocked the NFL world earlier this week by coming out of retirement at the age of 44 to play for the Indianapolis Colts.

Rivers, a first-round pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, played 17 seasons in the league before retiring in 2021. The eight-time Pro Bowler now returns to suit up for the Colts, who are looking for any answer at quarterback with Daniel Jones out for the year with a torn Achilles and Anthony Richardson Sr. Still on injured reserve due to an eye injury.

This is Rivers' second stint in Indianapolis, as he spent the 2020 season as the franchise's starting quarterback. At age 39, the NC State product led the Colts to an 11-5 record and a playoff birth, while tossing 24 touchdowns to 11 interceptions with a 68% completion rate.

A reunion between Indianapolis and Rivers is one of the most intriguing storylines in sports this year, but NFL executives don't think it's going to work out.

Two executives told The Athletic their thoughts on the Rivers signing. One stated that it's going to end in a disaster, while the other described Rivers as a "sitting duck" at this stage of his career.

"Fun story," an executive who was granted anonymity so he could speak openly said to The Athletic, “but I think it’s going to be a disaster.”

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

Signing Rivers could provide a spark for a Colts' squad that has lost four of its last five games, but as the anonymous executive said, it could also lead to a disastrous ending.

Rivers is on the team's practice, for now. However, it's hard to envision a scenario where he doesn't take the field as Indianapolis' starter at some point in the next few weeks.

After signing a one-day contract and retiring as a Charger back in July, no one expected Rivers to come back. We'll see how he performs in the likely final stage of his playing career.