Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) drops back to pass Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, during practice at the Colts training facility in Indianapolis.

The 44-year-old Philip Rivers has been activated from the Indianapolis Colts' practice squad and is expected to start on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.

Will this be an improbable comeback story of a hero coming from the depths of retirement and having not played a snap in five years? Or will it end very badly, with Rivers leaving the game injured and unable to return? Turning the ball over too much? Etc. Honestly, this situation may not offer a middle ground. Rivers will easily be the most immobile QB in the NFL during Week 15, and the Seahawks will look to tee off on that concept.

The comparisons have already started about Tom Brady being 45 years old and still slinging it. The only problem with that is that, unlike Rivers, Brady never stopped playing. Rivers hasn't played in five years. I am not saying Brady is miles and miles ahead of Rivers in talent, but it's not close. I am a fan of Rivers, and I know that there is literally nothing that Philip Rivers hasn't seen during his time at QB in the NFL, but this situation is unique.

The Colts have kept the pocket relatively clean all season in Indy, but Rivers does not have a massive window to get away from pressure. He comes in a bit overweight, though he has been throwing and staying somewhat in shape by coaching high school ball. Was this the right move by Indy? No one really knows yet, but we will all soon find out together. Rivers' insurance was also about to run out, but now the clock will be adjusted to the positive side of that dilemma, while the Hall of Fame clock resets Rivers if he plays another snap.

Rivers seems skeptical about being chosen for the Hall of Fame anyway, but he said it wasn't a deciding factor in his decision to return to the football field. Names like Cam Newton were a bit thrown off that he wasn't contacted about the opportunity, but Rivers knows the offense, the personnel, and his way around the facility.

We are all rooting for Rivers to succeed, and whether this shows the Colts are all in on making a playoff run after starting hot remains to be seen. If you're an optimist, we could be looking at one of the greatest stories of a return ever told, and with that being said, good luck to you, sir! I hope it is all worth it!

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: The NFLs 'Old Man Rivers' Experiment could go VERY good, or VERY bad

Reporting by Josh Petry, Touchdown Wire / Touchdown Wire

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