ClutchPoints
The Indianapolis Colts looked like Super Bowl contenders for much of the year. The team’s defense is elite, they’ve got arguably the best running back in football in Jonathan Taylor, and their receiving corps is deep. All that was missing coming into the season was a quarterback.
Few thought the answer to that position was on the roster when Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson were competing in a quarterback competition before the season, but after winning the job, Jones proved himself as a solid starter. He dropped the bust label and became one of the most efficient signal callers in the league this season, leading one of the top offenses in the process.
His success led the Colts to go all in, most notably making a blockbuster trade for Sauce Gardner. However, Jones started to deal with injury issues. The former New York Giant was playing through a broken fibula, but his season wasn’t officially shut down until he tore his Achilles tendon.
With Richardson also on injured reserve, and Riley Leonard and Brett Rypien being unproven, the Colts took an unexpected and never-before-seen route to figuring out who their next starting quarterback was going to be. Indianapolis turned to the long-retired Philip Rivers to step up.
The long-time San Diego Charger who ended his career with the Colts is 44 years old and hadn’t played football since the 2020 season. Instead, he was coaching high school football. The Colts signed him off the street and immediately gave him the starting gig.
While Rivers’ numbers in his first start since returning to the NFL weren’t jaw-dropping, he did play admirably in an 18-16 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. He nearly led his new team to victory, but the Seahawks managed to end the battle with a game-winning drive.
Rivers’ return put into question just what the human body is capable of, as 44-years-olds don’t really play in the NFL, let alone after a five-year hiatus. His coming out of retirement begs the question: what other quarterbacks who have already hung up their cleats could make a surprising return to the NFL? Check out the gallery to find out.
If any retired quarterback could get the better of Father Time, it would be Tom Brady. After all, Brady already did that during his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, playing until he was 45. That is not only older than Rivers currently is, but it also made him the oldest starting quarterback ever.
Brady is the best player in NFL history, so he is just built differently than other players. He seemingly still had plenty left in the tank when he called it quits. After all, one of Brady’s seven Super Bowl wins came after he left the New England Patriots. Brady doesn’t need the traits of a younger man, such as arm talent, rushing ability, or athleticism.
Brady dominated his entire career because of his high football IQ. He knows what schemes defenses are...
