The Indianapolis Colts are desperate to secure a quarterback with experience, leadership, and proven success after losing their starter, the resurgent Daniel Jones, who ruptured his Achilles tendon and will no longer be available for the remainder of the 2025 season.
In addition, the Colts also have Anthony Richardson sidelined, and he is not a guaranteed presence on the field. That leaves them with only Riley Leonard, who also suffered an injury. With this in mind, Indianapolis’ front office decided to pursue an old reliable option: Philip Rivers.
The veteran quarterback, who turned 44 this past Monday, December 8, and who already has 10 children and one grandchild, will return to the franchise, initially joining the practice squad. However, given the team’s urgent situation, he will be elevated to the active roster.
This Wednesday, Rivers, who also found success with the San Diego Chargers, appeared in a press conference, his first since 2021, and became deeply emotional about returning at his age and rejoining the Colts.
A different kind of emotion is returning at 44 for Philip Rivers
During the press conference, Rivers was asked what motivated him to come back when he was already enjoying a quieter life, coaching at a high school, spending time with his children, and cherishing his newly arrived grandchild.
I’ll try to keep this simple. I’m trying not to get emotional, actually, after you asking that.
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As simple as it is: a coach that I love and an organization that I really enjoyed being with. You know, Mr. Irsay [former Colts owner] believed in me.
Shoot, the teammates that I was able to play with – 14 of them are still here. [The] Training room, PR guys are the same, equipment room’s the same, and they wanted me. And you know, I try to keep it as simple as that.
Certainly, I wasn’t hanging on to any hope of playing again. I kind of thought that ship had sailed. But something about it excited me.
It’s one of those deals: door opens, you can either walk through it or run from it. And I know there is risk involved, obviously, about what may or may not happen. But the only way to find out is going for it’.
Rivers had not participated in a press conference since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Hall of Fame problem for Philip Rivers
If Rivers is elevated from the practice squad to the active roster, as will almost certainly happen, he will lose his eligibility window for the Hall of Fame and will have to wait an additional five years.
He had already reached the semifinal stage, but he would fall far back if he returns to action. It seems that this does not worry the quarterback much. What he truly wants is to feel once again the sensation of emerging from the tunnel and stepping back onto the field.
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