The Indianapolis Colts are in trouble at the quarterback spot with starter Daniel Jones out for the rest of the 2025 NFL season with a torn Achilles. Jones’ backup, rookie Riley Leonard, suffered an injury in Sunday’s game with a strained knee ligament.
Additionally, Anthony Richardson Sr. is not yet ready to return. So, who are the Colts reportedly turning to for help? An old NFL veteran quarterback who even spent time playing for Indianapolis during his career. The news, however, has shaken some NFL observers.
What Are People Saying About the Colts Looking At Philip Rivers?
Reports on Monday indicate that the Colts are going to take a look at quarterback Philip Rivers.
“With Daniel Jones out for the year and Riley Leonard week to week with a strained knee ligament, the Colts will work out QB Philip Rivers on Tuesday, as NFL Network reported,” wrote Adam Schefter in a post on X. “It is Rivers’ birthday today; he turned 44 years old and last played in the NFL in 2020.”
This news set the social media world on fire, too. ESPN NFL analyst Peter Schrager headed out and shared his thoughts about a potential Rivers return.
If Phil Rivers takes a snap — and he might — does that reset his HOF candidacy clock another 5 full years ?
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) December 9, 2025
Mina Kimes had this to say on Monday: “Philip Rivers’ oldest kid is almost the same age as Riley Leonard”. Dan Orlovsky, who also works for ESPN and played quarterback for the Colts in his career, posted, “This is AI, right?”
RJ Ochoa, Manager and Editor-In-Chief of Blogging The Boys, simply had a one-word response to the Rivers news: “WHAT”. Former NFL head coach Jon Gruden, who now works with Barstool Sports, said regarding Rivers, “I love Philip Rivers.”
The last time Philip Rivers played in the NFL was with the Colts in 2020.
At 39 years old, he was the 18th-ranked QB in the NFL and had a 78.0 Impact Score, according to PFSN’s QB Impact Metric. pic.twitter.com/AzIKGPssKm
— PFSN (@PFSN365) December 9, 2025
Rivers, who might have a Pro Football Hall of Fame spot in his future, will reportedly be brought into the Colts’ facility on Tuesday to work out for the team. Then, a possible move for Rivers to join the Colts’ practice squad may be considered in the future.
After Sunday’s action, the Colts are tied with the Houston Texans for second place in the AFC South Division with an 8-5 record. Indianapolis and Houston are one game behind the first-place Jacksonville Jaguars.
In a 17-year NFL career, Rivers played 16 seasons for the San Diego-Los Angeles Chargers and was with the Colts in 2020. Rivers has eight Pro Bowl appearances in his career and was the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2013.
