When the Indianapolis Colts turned to Philip Rivers—a quarterback retired since the end of the 2020 season—to lead their offense during the 2025 NFL campaign, few expected much fireworks. Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald didn’t either, but after facing Rivers and the Colts, he didn’t hesitate to openly acknowledge the stark reality of their current situation.
Once known for a dynamic and high-powered offense, the Colts have undergone a dramatic transformation. With their previous starter Daniel Jones sidelined by injury, the team was forced to pivot to a conservative, ground-oriented strategy tailored to accommodate Rivers’ limitations at age 44. Rivers, a 2004 first-round pick and future Hall of Famer, was far removed from his prime athletic form, yet Macdonald praised the veteran for managing the game expertly.
“We had to adapt because the offense they were running took a pretty dramatic shift,” Macdonald explained after Seattle’s narrow 18-16 victory over Indianapolis in Week 15. He noted that the Colts leaned heavily on the run game, calling 30 rushing plays compared to 27 passes, with Rivers averaging just 4.4 yards per attempt when throwing the ball. Despite the modest passing numbers, Rivers executed his role efficiently, avoiding risky plays and managing possessions with veteran savvy.
Macdonald also emphasized that his Seahawks defense had to adjust on the fly. “We had a couple of adjustments in terms of some coverage structures that we hadn’t repped all week, and the guys did a great job with that,” he said, reflecting the challenges that come with defending a drastically changed Colts offense.
The Seahawks coach was candid about facing a less explosive team than anticipated but gave credit where it was due. “They had a really good game plan in terms of how they were operating… You’ve got to take your hat off to Rivers,” Macdonald remarked. Yet, the truth was clear: the Colts, led by a quarterback well past his athletic prime, were operating with a fundamentally different and more cautious game plan than fans have seen from them in years.
This unvarnished assessment from Macdonald sheds light on the Colts’ current reality—a franchise navigating adversity by leaning on experience over explosiveness. While Philip Rivers may not be the arm of old, his leadership and measured approach provide the Colts a chance to stay competitive amid a challenging season. For now, that means running the ball more, limiting mistakes, and playing smart football—a strategy Mike Macdonald didn’t hesitate to call out, making plain what many had only quietly suspected.
