Riley Leonard Gets the Nod in Week 18: Colts Turn the Page, Hand Rookie His First NFL Start
Week 18 in the NFL often serves as a crystal ball-a chance for teams out of playoff contention to look ahead, not back. That’s exactly where the Indianapolis Colts find themselves, and they’re making a move that signals a clear shift toward the future. With the postseason officially out of reach, head coach Shane Steichen has decided to sit 44-year-old Philip Rivers and give rookie quarterback Riley Leonard his first NFL start in Sunday’s season finale.
It’s a transition that feels both inevitable and symbolic. Rivers, who came out of retirement to stabilize the Colts’ quarterback room after Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending Achilles injury, brought leadership and poise to a tough situation. But with the season now winding down and nothing left to play for in the standings, the Colts are turning the page-and turning the offense over to the sixth-round rookie out of Notre Dame.
A Full-Circle Moment in Indianapolis
This isn’t just a changing of the guard-it’s a story with some real depth. Leonard and Rivers go way back, well before they shared a quarterback room in Indianapolis.
Both men have roots in Fairhope, Alabama, where Rivers has spent recent years coaching high school football. During Leonard’s pre-draft process, Rivers worked closely with the young quarterback, offering mentorship that most rookies could only dream of.
Now, in a poetic twist, Leonard will take the field while Rivers takes a seat-perhaps for good. It’s a moment that feels bigger than just one game. It’s a passing of the torch, from one Alabama quarterback to another, on the NFL’s biggest stage.
What the Colts Want to See from Leonard
Leonard isn’t walking into this completely cold. He saw extended action back in Week 14 when Jones went down against Jacksonville, finishing 18-of-29 for 145 yards with one interception. The numbers didn’t jump off the page, but there were flashes-especially a late rushing touchdown that hinted at the dual-threat ability that defined his college career.
At Notre Dame, Leonard made a name for himself with his legs. In his senior season, he racked up 906 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns, regularly carrying the ball 10+ times per game.
That kind of mobility gives Steichen options. Expect to see more designed quarterback runs, RPOs, and movement-based plays that force defenses to defend every inch of the field.
Think of it as a test drive-not just for Leonard, but for the Colts’ offensive identity moving forward. With Anthony Richardson expected back next season, this is a chance to see how the playbook functions with a mobile quarterback under center. It’s also a chance to evaluate whether Leonard can be a long-term backup or even a developmental project worth investing in.
Beyond the Stats: It’s About Command
Stats are nice, but this game is about more than just numbers. The Colts will be watching how Leonard handles the moment.
Can he stay composed on third downs? Does he protect the football in the red zone?
Is he making smart decisions, or forcing throws into tight coverage?
Turnovers have been a problem for Indianapolis this season, and Steichen will be looking for a quarterback who can manage the game without making costly mistakes. That doesn’t mean playing scared-it means playing smart.
Taking the checkdown when it’s there. Sliding instead of taking a hit.
Knowing when to throw it away.
This isn’t just a one-week audition. The Colts are already thinking about the 2026 roster, and whether Leonard can be part of that picture.
He’s had a front-row seat to one of the most experienced quarterbacks in league history over the past month. Now the question is: what did he learn?
A Golden Opportunity for a Sixth-Rounder
Let’s be honest-rookies drafted in the sixth round don’t usually get opportunities like this. No playoff pressure.
No looming quarterback controversy. Just a clean slate, a full week of first-team reps, and a chance to show what he’s got.
For Leonard, this is the kind of moment that can define a career. He’s stepping into a game that doesn’t matter in the standings-but could matter a whole lot in the Colts’ front office evaluations. If he shows poise, command, and flashes of upside, it could set the tone for his role in 2026 and beyond.
And for fans of Notre Dame football, it’s another Irish quarterback getting his shot in the league. That alone brings a little extra juice to a Week 18 game that might otherwise fly under the radar.
Make no mistake-this is more than just a ceremonial start. It’s a real opportunity. And now, it’s Riley Leonard’s turn to take the field and make it count.