The Indianapolis Colts made waves this week with a move no one saw coming: signing 44-year-old Philip Rivers to their practice squad. Yes, that Philip Rivers - the fiery, bolo tie-wearing quarterback who last played in 2020 - is back in the NFL, and the football world is buzzing. Even Rob Gronkowski couldn’t help but weigh in on the surprise reunion.
The Colts are dealing with a major blow after Daniel Jones went down with a season-ending Achilles injury, and with the playoff picture heating up, they turned to a familiar face. Rivers, who spent his final NFL season with Indianapolis, is now in line to potentially suit up again - but first, he’ll need to get game-ready. That’s where the practice squad comes in.
“Seeing Philip Rivers sign with the practice squad makes sense,” Gronkowski told NFL Network on Wednesday. “You gotta get him game-ready, and then you can pull him up anytime.”
It’s a smart, calculated move. By stashing Rivers on the practice squad, the Colts buy time to evaluate his readiness without committing to a full roster spot.
And let’s be honest - if there’s anyone who can walk in midseason and command a huddle with minimal ramp-up, it’s Rivers. His football IQ and leadership have never been in question.
Of course, when Gronk is on camera, the conversation always finds its way back to him. Asked whether he’d consider unretiring to rejoin the New England Patriots - the team he officially retired with last month via a ceremonial one-day contract - Gronkowski didn’t slam the door shut entirely. But he made it clear: it’d take a pretty sweet deal to get him back in pads.
Is @RobGronkowski thinking about a comeback after seeing Philip Rivers sign with the Colts?
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) December 11, 2025
He tells @TomPelissero and @judybattista that he needs a specific scenario to happen... 😅 pic.twitter.com/hSDTjc1dG4
“I would maybe go back if a team was like, ‘Hey, can you give us great looks on the scout team? And we’re gonna pay you a legitimate bonus, like a million bucks or something right on the spot, and all you have to do is practice,’” Gronkowski said with a grin.
“That actually might be a pretty cool case. I might have to think about that.”
Gronk hasn’t played since 2021, and while he’s still in phenomenal shape, he admitted the odds of a return are slim - about 1%, by his own estimate. Still, the idea of the four-time Super Bowl champ suiting up again, even just for scout team reps, is enough to get fans daydreaming.
But with the Patriots rolling - they’re tied with the Denver Broncos at 11-2 and riding a 10-game win streak - there’s really no need to shake things up. This team has found its rhythm, and messing with that chemistry mid-December would be risky.
As for Rivers, his return is more than just a feel-good story. It’s a calculated gamble by a Colts team that knows how thin the quarterback market gets this time of year. If he’s got anything left in the tank - and history suggests he just might - the AFC playoff race could get even more interesting.
For now, both Rivers and Gronkowski are reminders that in the NFL, you’re never truly out of the game. Sometimes, all it takes is the right opportunity - and maybe a million-dollar bonus.