Colts’ desperate move

At first glance, the Colts’ Week 15 quarterback news reads like a plot twist from an alternate universe: Philip Rivers, a candidate for the rocking chair at 44, has been added to the Colts’ 53-man roster and is expected to start today against the Seattle Seahawks. He hasn’t taken a snap in more than five years; his last game in the National Football League was a January 2021 playoff loss, and now he’s being tapped to lead a postseason push that has taken on an air of desperation.

The Colts’ quarterback cupboard suddenly became bare when Daniel Jones went down with a season-ending Achilles injury and rookie Riley Leonard continued to suffer from a knee issue. Scrambling for affinity amid uncertainty, they turned to a familiar face with deep experience and a historic resume. Never mind that a lifetime’s worth of football intelligence came with questions about mobility and rust. Rivers was about to be eligible for the Hall of Fame. Instead, he accommodated their entreaties and now finds himself not just in the spotlight, activated from the sidelines and elevated from practice squad to starter. He knows he’s being asked to play hero, and he believes he can deliver on his promise.

To be sure, Colts’ head coach Shane Steichen has been careful to frame Rivers’ role sans any expectations. He declined to declare a starter all week, but his praise for his new charge’s command in the huddle and responsiveness in practice was unmistakable. “Fired up for the challenge” was how he described his unconventional recruit’s mindset. There would be no a fairy-tale rescue, he argued, prevailing hopes to the contrary notwithstanding. As far as he’s concerned, he’s presiding over an exercise in realism tempered with faith in what a veteran presence can bring.

And that presence, according to teammates, is already making a difference. By all accounts, Rivers’ energy and “vibe” have lifted the locker room and should be a component of the Colts’ identity as they try to stabilize their offense. And when they trek to Lumen Field today, they’re eager to harness the renewed “juice.” Make no mistake, though: They’re in uncharted territory. Critics have blasted the decision as “irresponsible” and even “incompetent,” questioning whether a grandfather who hasn’t played in half a decade is truly their best option against a formidable Seahawks defense in hostile territory.

In any case, it’s the tension between nostalgia and pragmatism that makes Rivers’ return compelling fare. A hitherto-proven presence with the ball in his hands for nearly two decades coming out of retirement to try one more time cannot but be must-watch.

Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.