Chalien Dantes/Contributor

At 44, Philip Rivers is making an unexpected return to an NFL locker room on Saturday (December 13) as the Indianapolis Colts bring back their former quarterback to help chase a playoff spot. 

Rivers hasn’t played since 2020, but the Colts believe he can still throw with precision, leaving fans to wonder how Tom Brady feels about it.

Brady, now 48, joked about Rivers’ back-and-forth retirement saga, calling it ridiculous. While Brady insists he could still play at an elite level, his minority ownership stake in the Las Vegas Raiders makes a comeback impossible under NFL rules.

Brady first retired on February 1, 2022, after 22 seasons, only to return 40 days later with the Buccaneers. He officially stepped away after that season, which ended with a playoff loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Meanwhile, Rivers has been coaching high school football in Alabama since hanging up his cleats. Now, he might find himself under centre again, potentially starting against the Seattle Seahawks on the road this Sunday.