The Indianapolis Colts made headlines recently by signing veteran quarterback Philip Rivers to fill the gap left by the injured Daniel Jones. Rivers, at 44 years old, is returning to the NFL after his previous stint ended in 2020. The move has elicited strong reactions from players, notably from the team’s star wide receiver, Michael Pittman Jr., who expressed his surprise and enthusiasm about Rivers’ comeback.
In an interview with TMZ Sports, Pittman admitted he was “shocked” by Rivers’ signing but quickly followed up with excitement about the opportunity to play alongside him again. “He really taught me everything that I learned about being a pro and about routine and everything,” Pittman shared. Rivers was Pittman’s first quarterback when he entered the league in 2020, and their connection runs deep. The wide receiver noted, “There is a lot of love there. I’m excited for him. He’s just like, he’s fired up.”
Pittman acknowledged the circumstances surrounding Rivers’ return are not ideal, given that the Colts are dealing with Jones’ Achilles injury. Nevertheless, he remains optimistic about the team’s prospects, which currently sits at a strong 11-5 record. “We still have a really talented team, we have a really good defense, we have really good offensive weapons, so we’re not going to give up,” he stated. Pittman is ready to give his best as the team looks to make a playoff push, emphasizing, “We’ll look back after these four games, and maybe it works, maybe it doesn’t, but we’re going to give our best effort.”
The focus will undoubtedly be on Rivers as he steps back onto the field. Pittman believes that Rivers has not lost his competitive edge, saying, “Philip looks like, to me, he looks like the same guy in 2020.” In that season, Rivers threw for 4,169 yards, with 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The Colts and their fans are eagerly anticipating how Rivers will perform upon his return.
Aside from football, Pittman has been busy promoting his partnership with Oral-B, focusing on their new toothbrush. Regardless of the outcome on the field, Pittman is assured that he will look good while doing it. As the Colts prepare for the remainder of the season, the excitement surrounding Rivers’ return adds a new dynamic to their playoff ambitions.
