Philip Rivers to Work Out for Colts, Sparking Talk of Potential NFL Comebacks
The NFL got a jolt of unexpected drama on Monday night with word that Philip Rivers - yes, that Philip Rivers - is working out for the Indianapolis Colts. At 44 years old and nearly five seasons removed from his last NFL snap, Rivers is eyeing a stunning return. And while nothing is official yet, the very idea of the longtime Chargers and Colts quarterback suiting up again has reignited conversations around the league about late-career comebacks.
Troy Aikman on the idea of the Eagles calling Jason Kelce to come out of retirement: "I would be surprised if they haven't already... I think I'd be knocking on his door every week to try to get him to come back. He can still do it." #NFL #MNF pic.twitter.com/7d7fc27Ws1
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 9, 2025
Rivers last played in 2020, leading the Colts to an 11-5 record and a playoff berth before stepping away from the game. Since then, he's been coaching high school football and keeping a relatively low profile. But with the Colts navigating a turbulent quarterback situation, the team has apparently decided to see what the veteran still has left in the tank.
The news even had ESPN’s Monday Night Football booth buzzing. Joe Buck and Troy Aikman took the opportunity to imagine who else might be a phone call away from lacing up the cleats again.
Their first thought? Jason Kelce.
Kelce, the heart and soul of the Eagles’ offensive line for 13 seasons, retired after the 2023 campaign and has since transitioned to broadcasting with ESPN. But with Philadelphia dealing with injuries on the interior line, Aikman didn’t hesitate to float the idea of a Kelce comeback.
“Maybe the Eagles with these banged up interior offensive linemen can call on our friend, ole 38-year-old Jason Kelce,” Buck said during the broadcast.
“I would be surprised if they haven't already at some point this year, even last year,” Aikman added. “I think I'd be knocking on his door every week to try to get him to come back. He can still do it.”
It’s not as far-fetched as it might sound. The Eagles already coaxed one veteran out of retirement this season when longtime defensive end Brandon Graham returned to the team in October. Graham, a two-time Super Bowl champion and one of the most respected voices in the locker room, had officially stepped away from the game before deciding he had more to give.
Kelce, for his part, hasn’t publicly hinted at a return. He’s settled into his new role as an analyst and continues to be a prominent figure in football media. But as Rivers is now demonstrating, the door is never fully closed in the NFL - especially for players with the leadership, toughness, and football IQ that teams crave down the stretch.
And let’s be honest - if Rivers can get the call at 44, it’s not unreasonable to think a still-fit, still-beloved Kelce could be next.