Nick Wright claims Philip Rivers unretired to boost his Hall of Fame candidacy

Philip Rivers made his first NFL start in five years for the Indianapolis Colts against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. The 44-year-old quarterback came out of retirement after Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 14 versus the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was initially signed to the practice squad but was named the starter on Friday.

NFL analyst Nick Wright believes Rivers has an ulterior motive, which he discussed on Monday.

"One of the reasons I think Philip Rivers coming back was beneficial for him was, I think it raises his chances of being a Hall of Famer, because there's about to be this quarterback kind of log jam where (Drew) Brees is going to get in this year. So Rivers will have to wait." Wright said (Timestamp: 15:08), via "The Dan Patrick Show." "Eli's (Manning) already waiting. In two years, (Tom) Brady comes available, and by resetting the clock, there's about to be this quarterback kind of gap of Hall of Fame Cal. It'll just be Rivers, who's eligible in five years, and (Aaron) Rodgers, and there's not going to be anybody else in the three or four years that follow."

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Rivers completed 18 of 27 passes for 120 yards, one touchdown and one interception in his comeback performance. He nearly led Indianapolis to victory before Seattle scored the game-winning field goal with seconds remaining.

Rivers’ Hall of Fame clock resets with his return as eligibility requires five full seasons of retirement.

Philip Rivers on his NFL return

Philip Rivers fought back tears during the postgame availability following the 19-16 loss to the Seahawks.

“There is doubt, and it’s real," Rivers said. "The guaranteed safe bet is to go home or to not go for it, and the other one is, ‘Shoot, let’s see what happens.’ I hope in that sense that can be a positive thing to some young boys or young people.”

Rivers became the coach of St. Michael Catholic High School in Alabama. He led the school to a 13-1 record before he was signed by Indianapolis. He is the oldest active player in the league, as he's two years older than Aaron Rodgers.

The veteran played for the Chargers for 16 years and left to play for the Colts before retiring in 2020.

Edited by Victor Ramon Galvez