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The Indianapolis Colts are reportedly making a change at quarterback, benching 44-year-old Philip Rivers after three games for rookie Riley Leonard.
Rivers, who recently became a grandfather, made an improbable return after retiring in 2020 to try to spark a playoff run. The team went 0-3 in his starts, but Rivers played admirably and said he has no regrets about coming back.
“I mean, if this was the last shoot, I told you guys I wouldn’t regret coming back, and I don’t. It’s different than us not winning, right? It’s been an absolute blast for three weeks. I wouldn’t if I go back and say, ‘Okay, now you know everything that’s going to happen?’ I would do it all over again. It has been absolutely fantastic. I mean, if it’s the last one, it’s the last one,” Rivers said during his press conference following the Colts’ loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers jogs off the field after an NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Indianapolis, Indiana, on December 28, 2025. (AJ Mast/AP photo)
Rivers said he will be back on the sidelines as a coach next year and will not return to the field again. The eight-time Pro Bowler said he’s grateful to get three bonus games.
“I thought the last (game) was walking off the field in Buffalo, walking up that tunnel, and I was fine with that. And one had tears, and the few days after that I was at peace with the fact that it was the last. So definitely if it is, I got three bonus games that I never saw coming and couldn’t be more thankful that I got the opportunity,” Rivers said.
“It’s been a blast to be out there preparing with these guys and fighting with them. I just hate that we haven’t been able to get it done.”
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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers throws during the first half of an NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Indianapolis, Indiana, on December 28, 2025. (Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo)
Rivers believed he played the worst of his three games in the team’s loss to the Jaguars, saying he couldn’t get in sync or get into any rhythm. Against the Jaguars, Rivers completed 17 of 30 passes for 147 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Although the Colts did not win any of Rivers’ starts, they appeared in all three games. His best performance came against the San Francisco 49ers last week when he completed 23 of 35 passes for 277 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in a 48-27 loss.
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Daniel Jones tore his Achilles tendon in a loss to the Jaguars earlier this month, and Leonard came on in relief. However, Leonard was injured during that game, opening the door for Rivers to return.
Now, with the team out of a playoff spot and Leonard back to full health, he will start in the team’s Week 18 game against the Houston Texans. The Colts and Texans play at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday.
