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The Philip Rivers comeback is official.
The Indianapolis Colts have tabbed the 44-year-old grandfather as their starting quarterback for Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.
It will be Rivers’ first game since 2020.
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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers drops back to pass Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, during practice at the Colts’ training complex in Indianapolis. (Imagn)
Rivers announced his retirement from the NFL after that season and turned to coaching high school football. There were reports in 2023 he was eyeing a comeback, but nothing ever materialized.
However, after Daniel Jones tore his Achilles and rookie Riley Leonard injured his knee after replacing the veteran, coupled with Anthony Richardson being injured, the Colts did not have many places to turn.
“I wasn’t hanging onto any hope of playing again. I kind of thought that ship had sailed,” Rivers, who played 16 seasons for the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers before joining the Colts in 2020, said earlier this week.
“But something about it excited me. It’s one of those deals where a door opens, and you either walk through it and find out if you can do it or run from it. I know there’s risk involved, but the only way to find out is going for it.”
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip River Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, during practice at the Colts’ training complex in Indianapolis. (Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
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Rivers added that he happened to be watching the Colts game at the moment Jones fell to the turf. He admitted that it crossed his mind he might eventually receive a call from Indianapolis coach Shane Steichen.
“When that happened, in my mind, I was like, ‘What in the world?’ Just how crazy this would be on the quarterback position. I have to admit I thought, ‘I wonder if Shane will call,’” Rivers said. “Immediately, the competitor in you gets excited.”
Depending on how many games Rivers plays, he could eclipse 64,000 career passing yards. He has thrown for 421 touchdowns with a 64.9 completion percentage.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers on the sideline during a game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium Dec. 6, 2020. (Troy Taormina/USA Today Sports)
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Indianapolis, which started 7-1 but has since lost four of its last five, will face the Seattle Seahawks to try to keep its playoff hopes alive.
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