Philip Rivers’ short-lived comeback in the NFL has concluded, with the 44-year-old quarterback expressing no regrets about his return. After stepping away from retirement to assist the Indianapolis Colts in their playoff aspirations, Rivers will not start in the final game of the season against the Houston Texans on March 10, 2024. Coach Shane Steichen confirmed on Wednesday that rookie Riley Leonard would take the helm, marking a probable end to Rivers’ 18-year professional career.
Rivers’ brief stint, which he termed “three bonus games,” ended without a victory, as the Colts fell to a record of 0-3 during his return. Despite the losses, he contributed significantly to each game, providing the team opportunities to secure wins. His experience and leadership were evident in a close match against the Seattle Seahawks, where Rivers helped the Colts to a late lead, only to see it slip away in the final moments—culminating in an 18-16 defeat.
In another matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, Rivers guided the Colts to a commendable 27-point performance, but the defense was unable to contain the opposition, resulting in a 48-27 loss. His final game saw him throw a touchdown pass to Mo Alie-Cox, giving the Colts a 17-14 lead against the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, the Jaguars rallied back to secure a victory, marking the Colts’ sixth consecutive loss.
Reflecting on his return, Rivers stated, “If this was the last one — shoot again, I told you guys I wouldn’t have any regrets about coming back, and I don’t. Other than us not winning, right — us not winning. It’s been an absolute blast for three weeks.” He maintained that he would make the same decision again, highlighting the joy he experienced during this brief period on the field.
Rivers previously led the Colts to the playoffs in 2020 and has since transitioned into coaching at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama. With Leonard stepping into the starting position, the Colts are poised for another offseason filled with uncertainties, particularly regarding the future of Coach Steichen and General Manager Chris Ballard. This season marks the first time in 30 years that a team has started with an 8-2 record and failed to reach the playoffs.
The Colts’ quarterback situation remains fluid. Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending injury, prompting Rivers’ return. Meanwhile, Anthony Richardson, the fourth overall draft pick in 2023, remains on injured reserve. He has not played since suffering a fractured orbital bone earlier in the season. With only Seth Henigan on the roster as a backup, there remains a slim chance for Rivers to take the field again, though he appears content with his career statistics—sixth all-time in career touchdown passes with 425, eighth in passing yards with 63,984, and ninth in career wins with 134.
“I’ll be right back on the sideline,” Rivers said when asked about the possibility of another comeback. His dedication to the game and his team’s success will be remembered as he steps away from professional play.
