Philip Rivers: Indianapolis Remembers Colts Legend

Philip Rivers, retired since 2021, signed a new contract with the Indianapolis Colts. image: getty

The Indianapolis Colts, in the prestigious NFL American football league, called to the rescue Philip Rivers, a retired player and already a grandfather.

12.12.2025, 16:5912.12.2025, 16:59

At the beginning of November, everything was still going well. The Indianapolis Colts were leading the American Football Conference (AFC) – one of the two conferences of the prestigious NFL – with seven victories in eight games, confidence was high and the franchise already saw itself in the race for the Super Bowl (which it had already won twice, in 1971 and 2007).

To give herself every chance, she even validated a huge transfer to attract defensive star Sauce Gardner. A risky bet, as the price was high.

Sauce Gardner cost the Indianapolis Colts dearly. He is currently injured. Getty Images North America

A month later, this “all-in” plan from Indianapolis – and the idea of building the future with Daniel Jones as quarterback – collapsed like a house of cards. The Colts have lost four of their last five games and, at this rate, they would miss the playoffs.

And that’s not all. Gardner injured his calf two weeks ago, with no word on when he will return. Last Sunday, Jones also dropped out, suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon during the defeat against the Jacksonville Jaguars. At 28, he’s probably out for the rest of the season.

Only one alternative and one record in sight

The problem is that the Colts gave up their first round picks in the next two drafts to the Jets to get Gardner back. In other words: the more they lose, the more New York benefits. And when, on Monday, replacement Riley Leonard in turn reported physical problems, Indianapolis found itself up against the wall. Former prodigy Anthony Richardson is still nursing an eye injury.

So general manager Chris Ballard and coach Shane Steichen tried a daring move: calling an old friend. Philip Rivers. The same Rivers who played his last NFL season with the Colts in 2020/21, after sixteen years spent in San Diego and Los Angeles with the Chargers – where Steichen was offensive coordinator. The two men remained close.

Philip Rivers is back with the Colts, five years after retiring. image: getty

Rivers retired in January 2021, after leading the Colts to eleven victories in sixteen games and coming close to a feat in the play-offs in Buffalo. Since then, no more NFL: he coached a high school team in Alabama, where he notably coached his son Gunner. He has nine other children and, since the end of 2024, even a first grandchild, born to his eldest daughter Halle.

Despite this busy life, the Colts thought of “Papi” Rivers. Not really by choice: transfers are no longer possible at this stage of the season and alternatives are extremely rare. Rivers already knows Steichen’s offense and the behind-the-scenes of the franchise. On Monday, his 44th birthday, he showed up at practice for a tryout. On Tuesday, he signed a contract. Currently he is a member of practice squad: he trains, but does not play. But Steichen has already warned: he could be on the field this weekend. He would then become the oldest active player in the NFL.

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During this first training, several employees told ESPN having been amazed by its shape. Certainly, he is not ready for a game tomorrow morning… but “he can still throw the ball,” assures one of them. Another even explains that he prefers Rivers “in his current state to most of the 22 or 23-year-old replacements.”

One of the greatest quarterbacks of History

That Rivers himself thinks he can still compete will surprise no one. The man with 421 touchdown passes (sixth total in history) and 63,440 passing yards (seventh) declared again this summer:

“I have a little more weight than before, but I could still play a match. Maybe I need a wheelchair the next day… but yes, I can still play a little.”

Michael Pittman Jr., Colts star and already Rivers’ teammate at the time, admitted his surprise on the show Up & Adams. Before adding:

“If there’s one guy capable of pulling off something like this, it’s him.”

Michael Pittman Jr. (28 years old) still believes in the title: “We are still alive.”

Philip Rivers, here as a spectator last month, will do everything to qualify Indianapolis for the play-offs.image: getty

To stay in the race, the Colts are therefore banking on a 44-year-old quarterback. Rivers played twelve play-off matches, but lost seven. To qualify for the play-offs, Indianapolis will probably have to win at least two of its last four games. And given the program – Seattle, San Francisco, then Jacksonville and Houston – nothing is certain.

“It’s one of those moments where a door opens, and you have to choose whether you go in or whether you run away,” Rivers summed up his return.

Running away has never been his style, even with a few kilos heavier than in his prime. In any case, he admits that he no longer really knows how much he weighs. The 196 cm colossus simply wants to see if he still has anything under the hood.

French adaptation: Yoann Graber