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Philip River’s comeback is official.
The Indianapolis Colts have selected the 44-year-old grandfather as their starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.
It will be Rivers’ first game since 2020.
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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) drops back to pass Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, during practice at the Colts practice facility in Indianapolis.
Rivers announced his retirement from the NFL after that season and turned to coaching high school football. There were reports in 2023 that he was eyeing a comeback, but nothing ever materialized.
But with Daniel Jones tearing his Achilles and rookie Riley Leonard injuring his knee after replacing the veteran, combined with Anthony Richardson getting hurt, the Colts had nowhere to turn.
“I didn’t hold out any hope of playing again. I kind of thought the ship had sailed,” Rivers, who played 16 seasons with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers before joining the Colts in 2020, said earlier this week. “But something about it excited me. It’s one of those deals where a door opens and you either walk through it and find out if you can do it or run from it. I know there’s a risk involved, but the only way to find out is to go for it.”
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, during practice at the Colts practice facility in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
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Rivers added that he happened to be watching the Colts game at the moment Jones fell to the turf. He admitted it crossed his mind that he might eventually receive a call from Indianapolis coach Shane Steichen.
“When it happened, I thought in my mind, ‘What the hell?’ As crazy as this would be at the quarterback position, I have to admit I thought, ‘I wonder if Shane’s going to call,’” Rivers said. “Immediately the competitor in you gets excited.”
Depending on how many games Rivers plays, he could eclipse 64,000 career passing yards. He currently has 421 touchdowns on a 64.9 completion percentage.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) on the sideline during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on Dec. 6, 2020. (Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports)
Indianapolis, who started 7-1 but have since lost four of their last five, will face the Seattle Seahawks to try to keep their playoff hopes alive.
