The Indianapolis Colts were undergoing a quarterback crisis after QB1 Daniel Jones went down with an ACL injury against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Now, to save what has been a successful season, the Colts made an interesting decision in bringing back former quarterback Philip Rivers. The veteran announced his retirement after the 2020-21 season and was emotional when asked about his return after a four-year hiatus.

“It’s a coach that I love, an organization that I enjoyed being with,” Rivers said in a press conference. “The teammates I was able to play with, shoot, 14 of them are still here. … And they wanted me. I tried to keep it as simple as that.”

Philip Rivers then went on to speak about how he was done with playing after his retirement in 2021, but couldn’t say no once the opportunity presented itself.

“But something about it excited me,” Rivers said. “It’s kind of one of those deals where the door opens, and you either walk through it and find out if you can do it, or you run from it. I know there’s risk involved, obviously, with what may or may not happen. But the only way to find out is to go for it. I just felt like almost like it was a gift, another opportunity to play, and cut it loose with the guys and the game you love to play.”

After spending the first 16 years of his NFL career with the San Diego Chargers, Rivers joined the Colts in 2020, completing 68% of his passes for over 4,000 yards and recording 24 touchdowns, while helping his team reach the playoffs as the first-ever AFC No. 7 seed. Looking at his career numbers, Rivers is seventh on the NFL’s all-time list for passing yards (63,440) and sixth for touchdown passes (421).

Now looking forward to the Week 15 clash against the Seattle Seahawks, the Colts head coach Shane Steichen highlighted the need to get Rivers “back into football shape.” Alongside this concern, Steichen expressed excitement about his reunion with his former QB1.

“His energy and passion for the game is incredible,” said Steichen. “He’s one of the smartest football guys I’ve ever met.”

Although the surprise of Rivers’ return has still left many in shock, the veteran QB also revealed that he had a slight inclination about a possible opportunity when Jones went down against the Jaguars.

Rivers shares his reaction to the Daniel Jones ACL injury

After failing to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars for over 11 years, the Colts looked poised to break the streak in Week 14. But as Daniel Jones dropped back on a third-and-eight, he went down after throwing a pass to wide receiver Alec Pierce. Jones was quickly ruled out of the game with an Achilles’ injury, which subsequently ended his season.

Philip Rivers was watching the game and was left in shock by the incident, as he revealed in his press conference.

“I saw the injury live,” Rivers revealed. “I feel terrible for Daniel… When that happened, in my mind, I was like, ‘What in the world?’ I wondered in my head, ‘I wonder if Shane will call.’ ”

As we all know, the call was made, and now the wait begins as the NFL world gears up for the legendary Philip Rivers’ return to the Gridiron.