Philip Rivers was surprised when his former Chargers teammates came to his home in Alabama to sign a one-year contract to officially retire in July 2025.
He has been waiting to see if there is a chance to return to the NFL. The New Orleans Saints reached out to him and Drew Brees in 2021 about a possible return.
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It didn’t happen.
The San Francisco 49ers also considered bringing in Rivers heading into the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023, but they were eliminated by the Philadelphia Eagles. That opportunity was gone.
Rivers became the head coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama, where he coached his son Gunnar, the team’s quarterback.
They lost to Jackson 44-23 in the Class 4A semifinals on Nov. 29, ending a historic 13-0 season.
“Of course I didn’t really have any hopes [of] It started playing again,” Rivers said. “I thought that ship had sailed. But something about it excites me. It’s a deal, a door opens and you can walk in and see if you can do it, or run away from it. “
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A week later, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones limped into the Everbank Stadium tunnel and was diagnosed with a torn Achilles tendon, ending his season.
Colts head coach Sean Steichen said Wednesday he decided to call Fairhope to see if the retired quarterback and high school coach would be willing to return for the final four games of the season.
Steichen told him to take a break after the initial conversation and said he would call again the next day.
The next day, Rivers got the most Philip Rivers response.
“‘Gee, I’m interested. Gee,'” Steichen recalled. “‘Dad, let’s go.'”
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An hour before the team where Rivers retired – the Chargers – played against the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles on Monday Night Football, reports surfaced that Rivers and the Colts could reunite.
On Tuesday, the announcement became official. Rivers, 44, joined the practice squad and returned to the NFL.
“I told Gunnar last night that I gave him a play on the call sheet and he said, ‘Oh my gosh, because we used that play two weeks ago in the semifinals,'” Rivers said. “You know what I mean? So that part is cool.
“I would say it was a whirlwind 48 hours. But as time went on, I felt more and more confident.”
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Rivers, a father of ten and now a grandfather, said his family was excited when he told them he was returning to the NFL.
“Obviously, my kids are excited,” he said. “But I think they feel the same way — a little bit nervous, like, ‘Dad, do you think you can do this?’ You know, and then my older girls are really excited… They’ve grown up 1765489223got married, they remember, and went to a ballgame when they were 16 years old. “
On Wednesday, Rivers took to the podium for his first press conference and said, “No Zoom? Let’s go!”
He was referring to how his final season in Indy unfolded during the pandemic, when all NFL teams were operating virtually.
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So why would the Colts bring Rivers back?
They are currently 8-5 and in eighth place, believing they can catch the Texans (8-5), Bills (9-4) or Chargers (9-4) – the current wild-card teams. They might even catch the AFC South-leading Jaguars (9-4).
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) talks with quarterbacks coach Cam Turner during a practice Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, at the Colts’ practice facility in Indianapolis.
© Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) talks with quarterbacks coach Cam Turner during a practice Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, at the Colts’ practice facility in Indianapolis.
“I’m not here to save the world or be a hero,” Rivers said. “We’ve got to play hard, play defense, do all those things. So if it does happen, I’m the one that’s there, I’m not here to save the world. I’m going to know where my limitations are. As we go forward, it’s going to get better if that’s the route we end up going.”
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But in reality, bringing in the veteran quarterback could save their season.
The Colts started 8-2, stayed healthy and finished strong before getting a late-season bye. They also hold a two-game lead in the AFC South.
They have since lost three straight games to the Chiefs, Texans and Jaguars.
“It’s been a whirlwind,” Rivers said. “The decision was not easy. It’s human nature to be a little skeptical. That’s normal. Who wouldn’t be skeptical five years from now?”
Rivers has been out of the NFL for nearly five years. He said he stayed healthy, and stories have circulated about him throwing to St. Michael’s receivers. Still, the speed and physicality can’t compare to the NFL.
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“The easiest way to eliminate anything that could go bad is to stay home,” Rivers said. “That’s the only way to find out, ‘Can you still do this?’ Just try.”
“It feels good to be back in the building. I’m grateful.”
So what does Rivers bring to the table?
The psychological aspect of the game. His football intelligence is still top notch – the problem is his body.
When asked about his current weight, he sidestepped and said it wasn’t the weight he was at when he lost to Buffalo in the 2021 wild-card game.
No one expected this. He has retired. He’s done.
“You never want something like this to happen,” Rivers said. “But gosh, things like this happen and it takes me a long time to recover, so that’s for sure.”
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Rivers crossed paths with current Colts receiver Michael Pittman and running back Jonathan Taylor during his final season in the NFL, but that feels like a long time ago.
The Colts are talented, with strong players on both sides of the ball. They just need a quarterback who can stabilize them. After the farewell, Jones struggled, completely different from his state before the farewell.
Rivers knows the system very well. He worked with Steichen for five years in San Diego and Los Angeles when they were both with the Chargers.
Steichen said Wednesday that the team will decide on its starting quarterback “later this week,” giving Rivers a realistic chance to start.
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Why bring him back only to have him sit behind Riley Leonard? No chance.
Speaking of Leonard, he worked out with Rivers in the offseason before the draft and with the Gunners. Even he didn’t see this coming.
“I’m just a rookie, but I’ve learned things in this industry and have no problem with it, just excited to be the best I can be,” Leonard said.
Indianapolis Colts quarterbacks Philip Rivers (17) and Riley Leonard (15) talk during practice Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, at the Colts’ training facility in Indianapolis.
© Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Indianapolis Colts quarterbacks Philip Rivers (17) and Riley Leonard (15) talk during practice Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, at the Colts’ training facility in Indianapolis.
Leonard may have thought this was his moment to prove himself. Instead, the Colts turned to Rivers.
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“I know there are risks,” he said. “The only way to find out is to try.”
If Rivers starts Sunday in Seattle, it will be interesting to see how much Steichen does at his plate. The Seahawks are deep and Rivers’ former teammate Uchenna Nwosu is a pass-rushing threat.
This could be a big dose of Taylor. The Colts have plenty of firepower though, with tight end Ty Warren and receivers Alec Pierce and Josh Downs. This may be too much too soon.
Once Rivers rests on Sunday, his Hall of Fame eligibility will reset, pushing it back five years — which is actually a smart move. He retired around the same time as Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Ben Roethlisberger, who would all be inducted before him. Delaying the vote means he can appear on a quieter ballot, with only Aaron Rodgers coming close to his schedule.
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Rivers’ return mirrors former teammate Eric Weddle’s return two years after retirement to help the Rams win the 2022 Super Bowl.
With Rivers out longer, his return falls somewhere between Weddle and George Foreman, who returned after a decade. Weddle earned a ring. Foreman was once again the heavyweight champion.
Will Rivers do it?
Who knows. But it will be a must-see starting Sunday after Tuesday’s signing. This is uncharted territory – a player returning after nearly five years away.
No matter what, Rivers will give everything he has to the Colts, just like he did the first time around — and throughout his years with the Chargers.
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“I feel like it’s almost a gift and another opportunity to play with the guys that you love and live your dream,” Rivers said. “You might get some extra time. So I really just take it to heart as simple as that. And I’m standing here.”
