Our friends over at The Jet Press engaged in a bit of fantasy recently upon hearing about the unlikely return of 44-year-old Philip Rivers to the NFL. In case you missed it, the Indianapolis Colts signed a Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalist five years after he retired to help deal with a rapidly imploding crisis.
Rivers is in the building primarily to mentor rookie Riley Leonard, with whom he has a good relationship. The Colts are without their top two quarterbacks, and their playoff hopes are rapidly diminishing. The returning signal-caller may actually take the field during a playoff push.
And that has us all thinking… are there any players of a certain age from our own club’s recent past that might arrive on a white horse to rescue a team in distress? Obviously, in the real world, the Washington Commanders need to play and evaluate their younger prospects in the final month of this lost season. But we can dream a little, can’t we?
Former Commanders stars who we’d love to see in burgundy and gold one more time
Vernon Davis - TE
At 41, the former Maryland and San Francisco 49ers' star is the same age as Marcedes Lewis, who may well be playing tight end for the Denver Broncos in the playoffs this year. And Vernon Davis was always a physical marvel. True, he hasn’t played since 2019, and in that final season, he appeared in only four games and caught 10 passes.
But with Zach Ertz out and no other tight ends seemingly prepared to step into significant roles, wouldn’t it be nice to see the Dunbar High School star running past linebackers and safeties once again? If nothing else, perhaps he could teach Ben Sinnott how to play with a little attitude.
Brian Orakpo - EDGE
During his six seasons in Washington, Brian Orakpo went to three Pro Bowls and notched 40 sacks. Do you think this team could use a player like that right about now?
The Commanders' sack leader heading into the final month of the season is Von Miller, with six. Excluding his two seasons mostly lost to injuries, Orakpo never had fewer than 8.5 sacks for Washington. And even though he retired in 2018, he is still just three years older than Miller.
DeAngelo Hall - CB
We’re primarily looking at places where the Commanders have suffered crippling injuries, and cornerback now leads that particular list. With both Trey Amos and Marshon Lattimore out, Washington is in desperate need of someone who can cover on the perimeter.
I toyed briefly with the idea of somehow resurrecting a hybrid Fred Smoot-Champ Bailey.
Bailey could cover everyone, and Smootcould talk the best smack in the league, but instead I am going with DeAngelo Hall, who, at 43, falls below the Rivers’ line. There is one stipulation here, though. Washington only brings him back if the Chicago Bears recall Jay Cutler to play quarterback.
DeSean Jackson - WR
Other receivers may be more beloved by Commanders fans. Santana Moss clearly is one of them, but he may be a tad too old for this fantasy. Pierre Garcon is another, but forgive me for wanting to see DeSean Jackson, who led the league in yards per reception in two of his three seasons in Washington and who, at 39, can probably still run.
Just line him up on the outside and have him run deep every other play. As a decoy, at least he would open things up a little in the middle. And he would probably score a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Ryan Kerrigan - EDGE
The most obvious choice of all. The Commanders are in desperate need of pass-rush pressure, and their official career leader in sacks is in the building, serving as an assistant coach. Ryan Kerrigan is 37 and still looks like he could get after the quarterback.
Washington once had Kerrigan and Orakpo playing on opposite edges. In the two seasons during which the latter was healthy, they combined for 35 sacks.
How would that look right about now?