Just a couple of weeks ago, the Indianapolis Colts were going through some things at the quarterback position. Daniel Jones tore his Achilles and was out for the season and Riley Leonard, the backup quarterback, was dealing with a knee injury after coming in to replace Jones. So with that being said, the Colts reached out to a former quarterback of theirs, hoping to keep their playoff hopes alive. 44-year-old Philip Rivers, who was coaching high school football, agreed to come out of retirement and rejoin the Colts on the practice squad at first. The starter for the 2020 season for Indianapolis, Rivers would eventually be promoted to the active roster, effectively resetting the five-year timetable for players to be retired for Hall of Fame consideration. Rivers felt it was worth it to come back, but was it really?
After Monday night’s 48-27 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, the Colts were officially eliminated from any chance of postseason play, while helping the Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Chargers and Buffalo Bills clinch playoff spots. Rivers, for his part, did what he could to try and help the Colts win, throwing for 277 yards and two touchdowns. But trailing 41-27, Rivers threw a pass to rookie tight end Tyler Warren, who did not run the best route. The result was an interception by 49ers linebacker Dee Winters, who returned it for a touchdown to put the exclamation point on the San Francisco win. For Rivers, he threw for 397 yards with three touchdown passes and two interceptions during his two-game run. At this point, Rivers and the Colts have to be asking, and many are thinking it: was it worth it for him to come back?
For the Colts, one thing adding Rivers did was add experience. So, in that sense, it gave them a quarterback who was very familiar with the offensive system that Colts head coach Shane Steichen ran, allowing them to continue. But on the wins-and-losses side of things, it did not help, as the Colts went 0-2 with Rivers at the helm. The Colts still don’t know what they do or don’t have in Riley Leonard. Since they delayed finding that out, it will be interesting to see if they try to figure out what they have in Leonard in the last two games since they are officially eliminated from postseason play. With how their quarterback position picture looks for 2026, it would not be a bad move to make that switch. But in doing that, what message does that send to Rivers, who came back for them, and how does Rivers accept that message, should it happen?
That question has to be asked, and also Rivers has to ask himself, was it worth it too? When he returned to the Colts organization, he was a semifinalist for the 2026 Hall of Fame class. He has now reset that clock for another five years and that’s when he will be able to be up for induction again. One reason he decided to come back was to show his high school kids that he was taking on a challenge and not being scared of it, and hopefully teach them some things and inspire them at the same time. But even though he might not say it, there has to be some part of Rivers' comeback that he sees himself playing the hero role. Unfortunately, he was not able to be the hero they needed, playing a hand in two critical turnovers at the wrong time for the Colts. Along with playing a part in turnovers at the wrong times, the timing probably wasn't as good as it could have been with the Colts' weapons because of when he returned to the Colts organization.
Despite the results not being what either wanted, the Colts and Rivers did what they believed was best for the organization. Unfortunately, it did not work out and the season is essentially over for the Colts. Rivers could not save the Colts and the Colts will now go from being at the top of the AFC to watching the playoffs at home—an incredible turn of events on what has been one rollercoaster of a season for them.