Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers, who came out of retirement to sign with the team last week, drew sharp criticism from radio host and podcaster Bomani Jones after his performance Sunday.
Rivers completed 18 of 27 passes (66.6%) for 120 yards, a touchdown and an interception in the Colts’ 18-16 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. On his podcast “The Right Time with Bomani Jones,” Jones criticized the Colts for their decision to start Rivers.
“It was not a fun watch, it wasn’t a sad watch,” Jones said. “It was really insulting to Riley Leonard. Like, I think that’s the best way that I could put it. Like, it was just kind of confusing why he was even out there. But he had them ahead at the end, only for them to give up a field goal and to lose the game.”
Rivers, 44, signed with the Colts last Wednesday, with his knowledge of the Colts’ offensive system being a key reason they opted to go with him. His start came at the expense of Riley Leonard, who had replaced injured starter Daniel Jones the previous week against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jones also took aim at Rivers’ physical condition his return.
“I feel like the guy that comes back at this age is typically either going to be a Kenny Stabler type that you imagine who’s just been smoking cigarettes and drinking Miller High Life and then they call him … or something, like a Jack LaLanne type that’s just in incredible shape and always ready for it. Dead ass in the middle is Philip Rivers, who look like he has never done a pushup in his life, right?”
Rivers and the Colts will try to keep their fading playoff hopes alive Monday night when they host the San Francisco 49ers.