"Surely the most astonishing detail in this utterly astonishing story is that Rivers was waiting for Steichen's call. He'd been watching the Colts' game when he saw Jones go down, and later said that the thought of replacing Jones had immediately crossed his mind. Rivers and Steichen are close; they worked together during Rivers's final season with the Los Angeles Chargers, in 2019, where Steichen had been the quarterbacks coach."
"So Rivers celebrated his forty-fourth birthday on a Monday, and on Wednesday was signed to the Colts' practice squad. He arrived in Indianapolis with the gut of a dad who "works out," which, of course, is what he is. But Steichen appeared set on starting him. The two men waved away concerns about his fitness. Athleticism had never been Rivers's biggest strength; even in his prime, no defense needed to scheme for the possibility that he might run."
Philip Rivers was watching the Colts' game when Jones went down and immediately thought of replacing him. Rivers and Colts offensive coordinator Nick Steichen worked together in 2019 with the Chargers, and Steichen called Rivers after Jones's injury. Rivers turned forty-four and within days joined the Colts' practice squad. Steichen signaled an intention to start Rivers despite questions about his recent retirement and fitness. Rivers lacked running athleticism even in his prime but knew the Colts' playbook well and had experience leading teams under pressure, which informed the decision to start him.
Read at The New Yorker
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