Kyle Shanahan reveals how 44-year-old Philip Rivers can still play in the NFL: “every ball goes to the exact right spot”

Last week’s matchup with the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field was a career landmark for Philip Rivers, who played his first NFL regular season game in five years.

Indianapolis surprised everyone by bringing the veteran quarterback out of retirement, hiring him on a short-term, practice squad contract. It means that Rivers will be part of the roster for the Colts’ three remaining games of the regular season - maybe longer if they make it to the playoffs, but on week-to-week pay. He can be elevated to the 53-man roster or released at any moment. Rivers signed the contract on December 8, his 44th birthday.

The oldest player in NFL

With 17 years’ of regular season experience plus eight in the playoffs, Rivers has been around the block. Before last week’s trip to Seattle, his last NFL game was the 14-28 win against the Jaguars on January 3, 2020 - the final game of the 2019-20 regular season.

Against the Seahawks, Rivers completed 18 of 27 passes for 120 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception.

At 44, Rivers is the oldest active player in the league. He returns to his old team, who only had rookie Riley Leonard available after QB1 Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending Achilles tear, with Anthony Richardson still on IR.

The coach explains what Rivers can bring to the Colts

Head coach Kyle Shanahan believes the veteran QB still has something to offer, despite his lack of game fitness. “He’s a little bit older, so might not quite be as fast. might not quite be able to throw it the same distance as he used to but you don’t know that for sure because you don’t get to see it exactly on tape,” Shanahan told the media this week. “I see a guy who knows how to play the position as good as anyone. He got 27 throws in that game (against the Seahawks) and every ball goes to the exact right spot, he tags their coverages great. He played against a very good pass rush and was able to get rid of the ball. He’s one of the best quarterbacks I’ve ever watched and he definitely helped that team”.

For Indy’s next three opponents (49ers, Jaguars and Texans), Shanahan insists that they will need Rivers’ experience, “You’ve gotta be able to get rid of the ball, and to be able to get rid of the ball, it’s a unique talent that just some people have and some people don’t”.

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