Philip Rivers Returns to Colts After Retirement
When Daniel Jones went down with an Achilles injury, it prompted Colts coach Shane Steichen to scramble for a quarterback. It left backup Riley Leonard’s availability up in the air.
In an unexpected twist, the Colts signed 44-year-old Philip Rivers, who had been out of the league since retiring, to their practice squad on Tuesday. Rivers, who had a long 17-year career, has maintained regular contact with Steichen since their time together with the Chargers in 2019.
Now on the practice squad and having participated in Monday’s practice, Rivers could potentially take the field as soon as this Sunday against the Seahawks. If he does, he’d hold the title of the oldest player in the league.
According to ESPN, Steichen’s pitch to Rivers was straightforward. Rivers expressed a fondness for the team, noting, “It’s a coach that I love and an organization that I really enjoy working with.” He reflected on his past with the Colts, mentioning that half of his 2020 teammates are still around. “The training room is the same. They wanted me, so I try to keep it as simple as possible.” It’s interesting — he had initially thought he was done playing, feeling that “the ship had sailed,” but a spark of excitement changed his mind.
Rivers, who seemed genuinely surprised by the opportunity, said, “It felt like a gift. Another chance to play and bond with your friends in a game you love.” He acknowledged the risks involved but felt that you can only know what’s possible by trying. It’s a bit like taking a leap of faith, really.
His readiness to jump back into action isn’t without its uncertainties. It’s not clear when the Colts first began to consider bringing Rivers back, though it seems the discussion started after backup Anthony Richardson suffered an injury in October. One team official mentioned that given Rivers and Steichen’s friendship, his return shouldn’t be surprising.
Rivers himself noted that he’s been reflecting on his physical condition since his last game in 2021 against the Bills. He humorously admitted to not even knowing his weight anymore but felt he had changed since then. “I’m not going to run away from anyone anyway,” he joked, drawing laughter from the press.
After being released by the Chargers in 2019 following a tough season marked by high interceptions, Rivers joined the Colts the following year. He helped lead them to an 11-5 record and their last playoff appearance. During Monday’s practice, team officials remarked that he still has plenty of talent, with one noting, “Even at this stage, we would take him over most 22- to 23-year-old players.”
With the Colts sitting at 8-5 and facing playoff challenges after a loss to the Jaguars, Rivers might have a significant role sooner than expected, particularly with Leonard’s status still unclear.
