An NFL team turning to a 44-year-old quarterback who hadn’t played since 2020 was a clear sign of desperation. 

And the Indianapolis Colts were certainly desperate when they reached out to Philip Rivers.

“I couldn’t believe it, but then I looked around and thought ‘I might have done the same thing,'” an NFL executive said per Eric Williams and Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports. “If there’s any chance that Rivers has anything left, he’s 10 times better than any other option they had, especially for a short period. It just shows what an awful job we’re all doing of developing quarterbacks in this league.”

Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson were both sidelined by injuries, which left Indianapolis with the options of playing sixth-round draft pick Riley Leonard, elevating Brett Rypien from the practice squad or signing someone else.

It decided that someone else would be Rivers even though he hadn’t played for so long.

Statistically, Rivers didn’t have an excellent game against the Seattle Seahawks. He went 18-of-27 for just 120 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Still, he directed the Colts into go-ahead field goal range in the final minute and gave them a chance to win on the road against one of the league’s best teams.

Seattle ended up answering with a game-winning field goal, but it was quite the effort from the veteran.

“It was very impressive,” an NFL coach said. “Watching the highlights, you forget he hasn’t played in four years. He’s one of the smartest and best football players I’ve ever been around, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. He’s a Hall of Famer in my book.”

There is something to be said about the NFL’s lack of proven development at the quarterback position that a 44-year-old who had been away from the game for so long was seen as a realistic option.

But the Colts were also in quite a precarious position with their first two options both sidelined, Leonard dealing with something of a lingering injury and no proven options on the practice squad.

And now it seems like Rivers will be under center the rest of the way as he looks to lead the AFC South team to a strong finish.