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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, likely returned after retiring in 2020 to try to start a playoff run. The team went 0-3 early, but Rivers played admirably and said he has no regrets about returning.
“I mean, if this was the last one, I told you guys I wouldn’t regret coming back, and I don’t. It’s apart from us not winning, right? It’s been an absolute blast for three weeks. I wouldn’t do it if I came back and said, ‘Okay, now you know everything that’s going to happen. What are you going to do?’ I would do it all over again. It has been absolutely incredible. I mean, if it’s the last one, it’s the last one,” Rivers said during his press conference after the Colts’ loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers runs off the field after an NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Dec. 28, 2025. (AJ Mast/AP Photo)
Rivers said he will return to coaching next year and will not return to the field. The eight-time Pro Bowler said he’s grateful to receive three bonus games.
“I thought the last (game) was walking off the field in Buffalo, walking through that tunnel, and I was okay with that. And that one made me cry and those few days later I was at peace with that being the last one. So certainly, if it is, I got three extra games that I never saw coming and I couldn’t be more grateful to have had the opportunity,” Rivers said.
“It’s been great to be out there and prepare with these guys and fight with them. I hate that I couldn’t do it.”
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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 Dec. 28, 2025. (Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo)
Rivers thought 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 a rhythm. Against the Jaguars, Rivers completed 17 of 30 passes for 147 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
While the Colts didn’t win any of Rivers’ starts, they were 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 berth and Leonard returning to full health, he will start in the team’s Week 18 matchup against the Houston Texans. The Colts and Texans play at 1 pm ET on Sunday.
