Colts star says 'overlooked' part of Philip Rivers' return makes him confident in 44-year-old QB

Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. last played with Philip Rivers in 2020; now Rivers is back as his quarterback. Pittman tells Fox News Digital why he believes Rivers can help the team's playoff hopes. 

All signs point to 44-year-old Philip Rivers starting for the Indianapolis Colts in his first NFL game since the 2020 season Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. 

While the Colts and their fan base didn't have that on their bingo card this season, it's the reality after Daniel Jones sustained a season-ending Achilles injury and as rookie Riley Leonard deals with a knee ailment this week. 

Rivers joins a Colts team gunning for an AFC playoffs seed, sitting one game back of the AFC South lead behind the Jacksonville Jaguars, who they lost to in Week 14. As it stands today, the Colts are No. 8 in the AFC, and only seven teams make it from each conference.

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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) warms up Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, during practice at the Colts training center in Indianapolis. (Imagn)

So, while some doubt Rivers, the 17-year vet who ranks seventh in all-time NFL passing yards, can get the job done for Indy, one of his receivers from the 2020 season believes he can. 

Michael Pittman Jr.'s first NFL quarterback was Rivers after he joined the Colts during the 2020 season, when the signal-caller led the team to an 11-5 record. After seeing him back in the building this week, Pittman couldn't help but describe Rivers as someone who still has "that same fire."

"Phil is the same guy," Pittman said, while discussing his partnership with Oral-B, the official toothbrush of the NFL. "I really don’t notice much difference from our 2020 season, and he’s