Philip Rivers Is Back: Colts Turn to Veteran QB in Stunning Late-Season Move
Well, here we are. Five years after he last took an NFL snap, Philip Rivers is officially back in the league.
The Indianapolis Colts, sitting at 8-5 but reeling after three straight losses, have turned to the 43-year-old veteran in a move that’s as surprising as it is intriguing. Rivers worked out for the team on Monday, and by Tuesday, he was signed to the practice squad - with the door wide open for a potential start before the season ends.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t just a nostalgic reunion. The Colts are in a bind.
Daniel Jones is out for the season after suffering a torn Achilles in Week 14, and backup Riley Leonard is dealing with a knee injury. That left Indianapolis staring at a depth chart with more questions than answers.
Enter Rivers - the same quarterback who led the Colts to their last playoff appearance back in 2020.
So what’s Rivers been up to since he stepped away from the NFL? A lot, actually. And while the comeback is grabbing headlines, the journey that led him here is just as compelling.
A Quiet Exit, a Loud Return
Rivers called it quits on January 20, 2021, after a one-year stint in Indy that ended in a wild-card loss. At the time, he said it felt like the right moment to walk away.
“It’s just time. It’s just right,” he told The San Diego Union-Tribune.
That ended a 17-year NFL career, 16 of which were spent with the Chargers, where he became one of the most prolific passers in league history.
But retirement didn’t mean slowing down. Rivers quickly transitioned into coaching, taking over the high school football program at St. Michael Catholic in Alabama - a job he’d long said was part of his post-playing dream.
Building a Legacy at St. Michael
Rivers’ coaching debut came in August 2021, and it couldn’t have gone better: a 49-0 win that set the tone for what’s become a remarkable run. “It’s the process that makes it awesome,” he said after that first victory. “Tonight was special.”
Under Rivers, St. Michael has grown into a legitimate contender.
In 2024, he led the team to the semifinals of the Class 4A state playoffs for the first time in school history. They lost to eventual champion Jackson but made it back in 2025 as the No. 1 seed - only to fall to Jackson again.
Still, Rivers’ impact on the program is undeniable. “The margin of error is so small,” he said after the most recent loss.
“Every play is contested, but I haven’t seen anybody come in here and play like we have tonight.”
A Hall of Fame Resume - and a Hall of Fame Life
Though his NFL comeback could delay his eligibility for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Rivers has already been honored in his home state. In May 2022, he was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, joining a class that included stars from MLB, the NBA, and the NFL.
Off the field, Rivers’ life has been just as eventful. In October 2023, he and his wife Tiffany welcomed their 10th child - yes, tenth.
“It’s awesome. Tiffany is awesome,” he said at the time.
Managing a household that size on a high school coach’s salary? That’s a challenge even tougher than reading a disguised blitz.
And the next generation of Rivers quarterbacks is already making waves. His eldest son, Gunner, cracked 247Sports’ top 100 rankings for the 2027 class ahead of the 2024 season. Ranked No. 41 overall and No. 6 among quarterbacks, Gunner’s development has scouts watching closely - and fans wondering if we might see a father-son NFL storyline down the line.
Almost Came Back Before - Quietly
While this return feels sudden, it’s not the first time Rivers has been close to a comeback. Back in 2023, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed that if San Francisco had made it to Super Bowl LVII - after losing all three of their quarterbacks to injury - Rivers was the emergency plan.
“He was prepared to,” Shanahan said. “That was the plan most of the year.”
Rivers later confirmed that not only the 49ers, but also the Saints and Colts had reached out to gauge his interest. At the time, he said “the ship has sailed,” but clearly, the right situation - and the right call - brought him back.
In July 2025, just five months ago, Rivers appeared to slam the door shut on the NFL for good. He ceremonially retired as a member of the Chargers, posting a video tribute to his 16 years with the franchise.
“I’m thankful for those 16 years,” he said. “I certainly never took it for granted.”
But football has a funny way of pulling people back in.
What This Means for the Colts
The Colts are in playoff contention, but their quarterback situation has been anything but stable. With Jones out and Leonard banged up, the team needed experience - and Rivers brings that in spades. He knows the system, he knows the locker room, and he’s got the kind of leadership that can steady a team during a rough stretch.
Whether Rivers actually takes the field remains to be seen, but don’t rule it out. His first potential action could come as soon as Sunday, when the Colts face a tough test in Seattle.
At 43, Rivers may not be the long-term answer - but in a season that’s been full of twists, he might be exactly what the Colts need right now.
And if nothing else, it’s one more chapter in one of the NFL’s most fascinating careers.