How the Colts signed Philip Rivers out of NFL retirement

Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen was still coming to terms with the devastating loss of starting quarterback Daniel Jones when he was blindsided by another QB injury.

Monday morning — following a back-to-back loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in which Jones suffered a torn right Achilles tendon — backup signal caller Riley Leonard reported he was working through right knee soreness caused by the previous day’s game. Now Leonard’s status was in question.

A few hours later, Steichen broke the news to reporters.

“He came in with his knee [injury] this morning, so we’re working on that right now,” Steichen said, admitting he didn’t have many answers to follow-up questions about Leonard.

What Steichen didn’t say was that he had already put in motion a possible move that would stun the NFL. Retired quarterback Philip Rivers, a close friend of Steichen and one of the most productive quarterbacks in league history, was in talks with the Colts to join the roster as an emergency option. By then, Rivers – celebrating his 44th birthday – had already agreed to work out for the team.

About 24 hours later, the Colts signed Rivers to their practice squad, making him available to play, if needed, starting this Sunday at the Seattle Seahawks (4:25 p.m. ET, CBS). Rivers, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection and recent grandfather who hasn’t played since 2020, immediately becomes the NFL’s oldest player even as he attempts to turn back the clock.

How did this all happen? What options were the Colts considering? And how did they arrive at their final decision? Interviews with team sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, painted a clearer picture of one of the most shocking transactions of this season.

At its core, it’s the story of a team trying to keep its playoff hopes alive after recently executing a blockbuster (and expensive) trade for cornerback Sauce Gardner.

A few weeks ago, the 7-1 Colts looked poised to win their first AFC South title since 2014, thanks to a talented team and their most viable quarterback option since Andrew Luck. Now the Colts – losers of four of their last five games and devastated by injury – face a dire situation after making a desperate phone call.

The idea seemed crazy to many.

“Of course he does. But does he give us a better chance to win, that’s the question,” a team source said of Rivers.

Clearly, the Colts, now 8-5, believe the answer is yes. Here’s how they overcame their quarterback crisis and landed on Rivers as a possible solution.

Jones was having a career year in Indianapolis. But the Colts knew almost immediately that his Achilles was torn and his season was over. Leonard came into Sunday’s game and fought, earning the respect of his teammates and coaches. Team sources were impressed with how he handled the live action in rainy Jacksonville. The Colts lost 36-19, putting themselves outside the playoff picture for now. But with four games remaining, conceding the season due to the dire quarterback situation was not an option.

Shortly after Leonard’s injury was diagnosed — team sources told ESPN he was considered “week to week” — Steichen contacted Rivers. The two speak weekly, a habit that has continued since they last worked together in 2019. Steichen was in his sixth season with the Los Angeles Chargers at the time, growing closer to Rivers during the coach’s formative years in the NFL.

Grandpa Phil throws the stone 🚀 pic.twitter.com/rtZ9vavBzu

– NFL (@NFL) December 9, 2025

When Steichen first contacted Rivers, he was immediately open to the idea, team sources said. It’s unclear whether the two have ever discussed the idea casually before, but the Colts had not had formal conversations internally about pursuing Rivers, according to a team source.

A separate team source, however, believes the possibility of Rivers as an emergency option was at least a casual thought among some in the building once Anthony Richardson Sr., Jones’ replacement and the No. 4 pick in the 2023 draft, went down with an orbital fracture in October. The Colts explored trade possibilities after Richardson’s injury, according to team sources, but nothing came to fruition.

Richardson is still on injured reserve, but he could return this season.

But the Colts couldn’t wait.

“It was like if it went south, would he be okay with it?” said the source of early thoughts on a Rivers reunion. “Shane and Philip are close, so I don’t think it really surprised anyone.”

The key conversation between Steichen and Rivers, according to a team source, focused on whether this move made sense for both sides. Rivers lives a comfortable life on the Alabama coast, enjoying time with her 10 children and new grandson. The Colts also could have gone with a more conventional pick, even if there weren’t many choices at this late stage of the season.

“The options available are slim,” a team source said. “He knows the system, so why not?

The Colts offered Rivers something familiar: a return to where he played his final NFL season. And this 2020 campaign was unforgettable. Rivers was released from the Chargers following the 2019 season – his 16th year with the team – after throwing 20 interceptions and posting the second-lowest QBR of his career (50.5).

But he found success in Indianapolis, throwing 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The Colts earned a wild card spot and made the playoffs before losing in the first round to the Buffalo Bills. This is the team’s final appearance in the playoffs.

One possible issue that didn’t become a stumbling block was Rivers’ Hall of Fame candidacy. Rivers is a semifinalist for induction in 2026 — his first year of eligibility — and will have to restart the five-year waiting period after retirement if he is promoted to the Colts’ active roster. This would delay his candidacy until 2031.

It was a good time to bring back some Philip Rivers trash talk pic.twitter.com/sIoiHtzBjN

– NFL (@NFL) December 9, 2025

“I give him a lot of credit, and that says a lot about who he is as a person,” a team source said. “I don’t know if he would have gotten in right away, but he will eventually.”

Rivers has always been extremely confident. He was one of the most renowned trash talkers in the league, although he did it without swearing. And this confidence has not wavered.

“We all know who he is,” a team source said. “The challenge doesn’t scare him. He looks forward to it.”

With that, Rivers agreed to travel to Indianapolis to train. This training, conducted Monday evening, helped solidify the Colts’ thinking.

The practice consisted of standard fare, like most things quarterbacks would encounter in a game: throwing on the move, pass options, and throwing the entire route tree. Team officials came away impressed with Rivers’ arm. It looked a lot like it did years ago, according to team officials who saw him pitch.

Multiple team sources responded, “He can still run it” or a similar statement. Another team source added: “I would still take him at this point in most players aged 22-23. [backups]”.

Rivers, according to team sources, was throwing at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama, where he has coached since 2021. His son Gunner is a coveted Class of 2027 quarterback prospect at the school.

But predictable concerns remain. Can Rivers, for example, escape a pass rush? That’s of utmost importance if Rivers ends up playing Sunday, as the Seahawks rank fourth in the league with 41 sacks. Seattle is also second in defense, allowing 17.4 points per game. As one team source said, Rivers’ quick release and fearlessness in the pocket will help, but how he responds to an NFL pass rush at this age is an unknown variable.

The quarterback is also not in tip-top shape, as one might expect.

“He needs to be in shape, but there’s no doubt he can throw it,” a team source said.

That shouldn’t surprise a player who is seventh in league history with 63,440 passing yards and sixth all-time with 421 touchdown passes.

Will Rivers add to those totals as the Colts head down the home stretch?

This process begins in earnest on Wednesday. The Colts were originally scheduled to take a walkthrough Wednesday, but that changed Tuesday when they announced plans to conduct a formal workout. Sources say how Rivers handles his first week of practice will determine whether he plays Sunday.

It is now a very real possibility, crystallizing a scenario that seemed unthinkable just two days ago.