PTI Podcast Episode Summary: "How Far Can Philip Rivers Lead the Colts?"

Date: December 9, 2025
Hosts: Tony Kornheiser & Michael Wilbon
Guest: Jeff Saturday (ESPN NFL Analyst)

Episode Overview

This episode of PTI dives into one of the NFL’s most jaw-dropping comeback stories: the Indianapolis Colts signing 44-year-old Philip Rivers to their practice squad, with the possibility of promotion to the starting role. Tony and Mike debate whether the move is inspired or desperate, dissect the fallout from Monday Night Football, break down key MLB free agency moves, and welcome Jeff Saturday for his thoughts on Rivers, the state of the Bears, and controversial NFL calls. The show balances sharp insight with playful banter, maintaining PTI’s signature mix of opinion and humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Monday Night Football Recap – Chargers outlast Eagles (00:59–04:14)

• Chargers: Justin Herbert, fresh from surgery, led the team to a gutsy OT victory over the Eagles, earning admiration from teammates and PTI hosts.
  • Wilbon: “To have surgery in the same week and come out there and run it nine, 10 times…said all good things to me about the Chargers.” [01:53]
• Eagles: Despite a strong defense (7 sacks), Philly’s offense remains lost, with Jalen Hurts committing five turnovers.
  • Kornheiser: “The offense has vanished in the last five games. They have fewer touchdowns scored than every team in the league other than the Raiders.” [02:52]
• Both hosts agree the Eagles are still division leaders but now shakier heading into the season’s final stretch.

Colts Sign Philip Rivers: Inspired or Desperate? (04:14–07:13)

• The Colts, desperate due to injuries to Daniel Jones, Anthony Richardson, and rookie Riley Leonard, bring back Rivers, who last played in 2020.
  • Kornheiser: “There is no list [of good QBs at age 44].” [04:58]
  • Points out exceptions like Tom Brady don’t make Rivers’ potential return less risky.
• Wilbon compares Rivers’ comeback to Charles Barkley’s brief comeback attempt:
  • Wilbon: “You retire…you lose some weight and you heal up and you come back…until the first time somebody knocks you out.” [06:09]
• Skepticism abounds regarding Rivers’ ability to handle the mayhem of live NFL action at 44.

MLB Free Agency Moves: Schwarber Stays, Diaz Goes (07:13–09:49)

• Kyle Schwarber re-signs with the Phillies on a team-friendly, 5-year, $150M deal. Wilbon views this as the bigger impact.
  • “Schwarber goes out there between 155 and 162 games every year. There’s no threat of Tommy John…he’s giving you 50 home runs plus.” [08:12]
• Edwin Diaz signs with the Dodgers, a three-year, $69M contract.
  • Kornheiser: “He is what the doctor ordered…and he makes it a legitimate conversation that the Dodgers could go back-to-back-to-back.” [09:29]
• Disagreement: Wilbon sees Schwarber as the bigger story; Kornheiser says Diaz fills the Dodgers’ most urgent need.

Interview: Jeff Saturday Joins for “Five Good Minutes”

(13:04–18:45)

Colts & Philip Rivers (13:21–14:19)

• On the Rivers signing:
  • Saturday: “Desperate times, desperate measures…they are reaching, right? They’re grasping at straws.” [13:21]
  • “At Seahawks, different Seahawks defense…you’re 44, bro. Get rid of the rock. Do not hold it, don’t double pump…and you ain’t fast enough to get out of the pocket. Protect yourself…It could get ugly.” [13:55]

Bears 4th-and-1 Playcall vs Packers (14:19–15:43)

• Wilbon wanted the Bears to run the ball; Saturday, as a former lineman, empathizes but admits the pass play was there for the taking.
  • Saturday: “Offensive lineman, right, like we wear a defense out, we got them fatigued. We want this to happen…But…unfortunately, the play doesn’t get executed and there’s a pick, but…they fought like crazy.” [14:46]
  • “This is why you can’t have nice things, Mike…” [15:29]

Ravens Controversial Catch Rule (15:43–16:58)

• On a “clear as mud” catch rule and a possibly blown call vs. the Ravens:
  • Saturday: “It’s a catch…his feet are on the ground, like, I don’t understand…most frustrating thing for a fan, but also for players and coaches, because to [Harbaugh’s] point, it is clear as mud…You have no idea.” [16:09]

ACC, Notre Dame, and Playoff Politics (16:58–18:37)

• Saturday supports the ACC’s handling of the Miami/Notre Dame situation, emphasizing the need for a true best-teams approach.
  • “Both can be true…They did right by Miami…Conferences are supposed to do. Push their groups and make it happen…The truth is, this shouldn’t be about conferences—the CFP should have the top 12 and let them go play.” [17:28]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Kornheiser, on Rivers' comeback:
  “If he can revive these Colts, then it would be inspired. But if we could, let's look at the really good quarterbacks in NFL history who were 44. But let's leave Tom Brady out... There is no list. There is no list.” [04:58]

• Wilbon, on Rivers facing NFL contact at 44:
  “You feel really good now until the first time somebody knocks you out. And then you say, no, I can't do this. And it seems that Charles (Barkley) came to that realization and Philip Rivers has not.” [06:09]

• Jeff Saturday, on protecting old quarterbacks:
  “At Seahawks…you’re 44, bro…Protect yourself at all costs. It could get ugly.” [13:55]

• Kornheiser, on the Eagles’ offensive woes:
  “Their offense has vanished in the last five games. They have fewer touchdowns than every team in the league other than the Raiders.” [02:52]

• Wilbon, on Schwarber's value:
  “He’s giving you 50 home runs plus…The Phillies seem incredibly lucky to me.” [08:12]

• Jeff Saturday, catch rule clarity:
  “It’s a catch. That was a catch to me…It is clear as mud. You have no idea what’s going to be considered a touchdown or a catch or not.” [16:09]

• Saturday, on how college football playoffs should work:
  “The CFP should not be controlled by conference or anything else—have the top 12 and let them go play. I don’t care what conference they’re in…let’s go win a championship that way.” [17:52]

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Chargers outlast Eagles MNF Recap: 00:59–04:14
• Colts Sign Philip Rivers / Inspired or Desperate: 04:14–07:13
• MLB Free Agency Debate (Schwarber vs. Diaz): 07:13–09:49
• Interview: Jeff Saturday “Five Good Minutes” 13:04–18:45
  • Rivers Signing: 13:21–14:19
  • Bears Playcall: 14:19–15:43
  • Ravens Catch Rule: 15:43–16:58
  • ACC Playoff Debate: 16:58–18:37

Tone & Style

The conversation is lively, often playful, and shows the hosts' strong opinions and experience. Tony’s dry wit counters Mike’s passionate takes, while Jeff Saturday brings an insider’s blend of humor and hard truths (“You ain’t fast enough to get out of the pocket…Protect yourself at all costs.” [13:55]).

Conclusion

This PTI episode orbits around the high-stakes, high-drama move by the Colts with Philip Rivers, while also delivering PTI’s classic mix: fresh takes on key NFL, MLB, and college football action, sharply parsed disagreement, and memorable guest input. New listeners gain a clear sense of the day’s biggest sports stories—and the questions still hanging in the air:

• Can Rivers even compete at 44?
• Are the Colts desperate, or brilliant?
• What’s wrong with the Eagles, and can the Chargers handle their coming gauntlet?
• Do marquee signings like Diaz or Schwarber truly alter baseball’s balance of power?

Listeners walk away with laughs, perspective, and a list of storylines to track heading into another wild sports weekend.