Philip Rivers signs with Colts practice squad, comes out of retirement at age 44

By Kevin Patra, Senior News Writer

The Ol’ Man and the Comeback.

The Indianapolis Colts didn’t just work out Philip Rivers for fun. The 44-year-old is signing with the club’s practice squad, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo reported on Tuesday.

Rivers now joins an Indy club with four games left in the 2025 season and its playoff hopes on life support.

Indy worked out the veteran quarterback on Monday, his 44th birthday, amid a litany of quarterback injuries. Starter Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending Achilles’ tear in Week 14’s loss to the Jaguars. Anthony Richardson remains on IR with an orbital fracture. And undrafted rookie Riley Leonard, who took over for Jones on Sunday, is dealing with a Grade 1 PCL injury.

The initial plan is for Rivers to aid Leonard and serve as a potential option down the road, per NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. Rivers participate in practice on Wednesday.

Rivers currently is one of 26 modern-era semifinalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026, his first year eligible. If he is moved to the active roster at any point, his candidacy will be pushed off five years. If he remains on the practice squad without being elevated, his status won’t change.

Sitting at 8-5, in the No. 8 spot in the AFC, Indy faces a brutal slate down the stretch. Sunday, they face the 10-3 Seahawks in Seattle. Then they host the 9-4 49ers, 9-4 Jaguars and finish up at home against the 8-5 Texans.

A 17-year veteran, Rivers spent his first 16 seasons with the Chargers, earning eight Pro Bowl nods. He spent his last season with the Colts in 2020, generating an 11-5 record and getting into the postseason, the last time Indianapolis has been to the playoffs. Rivers threw for 4,169 yards, 24 TDs, and 11 INTs with a 97.0 passer rating that season.

The bonus: Shane Steichen has spent plenty of time with Rivers during his time with the Chargers, including as quarterbacks coach from 2016-2019, and interim OC in 2019, the QB’s final season with the club.

Since that season, the Colts have gone through eight starting quarterbacks. Now the revolving door ushers Rivers back in.

How much left does a 44-year-old high school football coach have after throwing his last NFL pass in Jan. 2021? The Colts are about to find out