Philip Rivers Receives Hall Of Fame Advice

Among the storylines of an NFL season, there may not be a stranger one than Philip Rivers’ return to the league at age 44, with nearly five years passing since he last threw a pass. He situated himself in life as an assistant coach in a high school and was a family man with a new mission as a grandfather, before the Colts QB room was ripped apart.

But with this surprise return comes natural doubting. Play calling and knowledge of the game have never been the problem with Rivers, but the toughness you need to be as an NFL player can be brutal, and doing so after an extended break from competition is no less so. That is precisely why war stories from Warren Moon are so valuable. He, too, was a Hall of Fame quarterback who played effectively well into his 40s.

Philip Rivers’ Return Appears Impossible

Rivers’ return to Indianapolis is unprecedented, barely a week since he turned 44. What makes this scenario even more special is that Rivers has some familiarity with the organization. He played for them in 2020 and already has a working relationship with Head Coach Shane Steichen, which goes a long way given the typical learning curves that often exist with quarterbacks brought on midseason. It would make Rivers as plug-and-play as any man might be.

But it’s hard to look past the fact that it’s been months. Rivers hasn’t seen NFL speed, pressure, and talent in almost four years. It is surreal. Rivers is a grandfather about to travel to play a tough Seattle defense.

Improbably, Rivers has grasped the opportunity. “This isn’t a return I’ve been planning,” he said. It’s more like he walked through an open door. To walk through an open door doesn’t have as much to do with legacy as it does with an additional chance at competition.

Warren Moon’s Advice: Survive With Smarts Not Speed

Of course, Warren Moon recognizes better than anyone what life Rivers is facing. Among a small group of quarterbacks that played well into their 40s and beyond, Moon knew just how small the room for error gets as he got older. His advice arrived with an ease of applicability and empiricism attached.

Moon emphasized the need to rely on running plays, particularly with Jonathan Taylor, and not holding onto the ball. According to Moon, third-and-long plays are where Rivers may be most vulnerable since these plays result in a need for fast reactions. When the quarterback holds on to it, pressure increases. On top of that, the evasive moves are way trickier once the quarterback has been out of action.

Moon is also concerned with the physical problems linked to coming back, not only on Sunday but also on Monday, Tuesday, and all through the week. Reps, recovery, and reaction are sometimes harder on the player than actual gameplay, particularly after a five-year layoff. Moon says the biggest question isn’t whether Rivers still knows how to play, but whether he can get his body to turn on a dime quickly enough for today’s league.

But that warning mind didn’t come without a healthy dose of respect. Moon praised Rivers’ intelligence and experience with football, but he said he was “alarmed” by the comeback. According to Moon, there were several things on which Rivers’ success depends: protection, play-calling, and efficiency – not heroism.

Final Thoughts

This return is one of the more bizarre stories in recent NFL history. While highly intriguing news due to Rivers’ high football IQ and leadership skills, it is unquestionable that ‘time and speed’ remain undefeated. Moon’s comments have pointed toward an apt message: Rivers doesn’t have to be great. He needs to be intelligent.

He could assume a regular role or act as insurance, but one thing that’s undoubtedly taken center stage is Rivers’ presence. At 44 years young and without a need to prove anything anymore, he wants more than a fighting chance at competing on his own terms. Whether he wins or loses is beside the point. What seems quite apparent is that this comeback is more about a statement pertaining to the magnetic appeal of the game, and sometimes experience still counts.