The Colts just pulled off one of the most unexpected moves of the NFL season - and maybe the last few seasons - by signing Philip Rivers to their practice squad. Yes, that Philip Rivers.
The 44-year-old, future Hall of Famer, high school football coach, and grandfather is back in the NFL mix nearly five years after walking away from the game. And it’s not just a ceremonial move - there’s a real chance he could be under center again, this time in a high-stakes playoff push.
Let’s set the stage. The Colts are 8-5 and very much alive in the AFC playoff race, but they’re hurting at quarterback.
Daniel Jones is out for the season with a torn Achilles. Rookie Riley Leonard is expected to start this Sunday against the Seahawks, but he’s dealing with a knee issue that could sideline him.
That’s where Rivers comes in - not as a mentor, not as a clipboard holder - but potentially as the starting quarterback for a team with postseason ambitions.
It’s a wild twist, but inside the Colts locker room, there’s no panic. In fact, there’s excitement. Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who played with Rivers during his last NFL season in 2020, spoke about the signing on Up & Adams and made it clear - this team believes.
“I was definitely a little surprised, but if there’s one guy to call who can do something like this, it’s definitely him,” Pittman said. And then he dropped the mic: “Realistically, who knows what Phil is capable of?
I’m going to say a Super Bowl, that's my realistic expectation because we’re still in this thing. We’re very much alive.”
That’s not just a teammate being polite - that’s a guy who’s been in the huddle with Rivers and knows what he brings. Even at 44, Rivers commands respect.
He’s got one of the sharpest football minds of his generation, and while he may not have the mobility or arm strength of his younger days, he’s still a master of pre-snap reads, timing throws, and operating a pro-style offense. If there’s anyone who can dust off the cleats and slide right back into a system, it’s Rivers - especially in Indy, where he already knows the playbook and the personnel.
Let’s not forget, Rivers led the Colts to the playoffs in 2020. He didn’t make a Super Bowl during his 17-year career, but he reached the postseason seven times and threw for over 63,000 yards.
"If there's one guy to call who can do something like this, it's definitely [Philip Rivers]... A Super Bowl, that's my realistic expectation"
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) December 9, 2025
Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. is CONFIDENT in his new QB 👀@MikePitt_Jr | @Colts | @heykayadams pic.twitter.com/CQyi85YlB9
The experience is there. The leadership is there.
And now, the opportunity is there.
The Colts have four games left. They’re in the thick of the AFC playoff picture. And while the idea of a grandfather quarterbacking a playoff team might sound like something out of a movie script, it’s suddenly very real in Indianapolis.
Whether Rivers actually sees the field remains to be seen. But the Colts aren’t just bringing in a feel-good story - they’re bringing in a competitor with unfinished business. And if he does get the call this Sunday, don’t be surprised if he comes out slinging like it’s 2008.
For now, all eyes are on Riley Leonard’s knee. But if he can’t go, the Colts might just be turning back the clock - and betting on one of the game’s greats to give them one more run.