Sunday might've been the final time we see Philip Rivers play in the NFL. For real this time.
Following the Colts' 23-17 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars – Rivers' third start since coming out of retirement after five years away from the NFL – head coach Shane Steichen said he'll make a decision Tuesday on who his team's Week 18 starting quarterback will be.
The Colts stunningly brought Rivers in to tag in for Daniel Jones, who sustained a season-ending torn Achilles' during a Week 14 loss to the Jaguars. Rivers wasn't brought in to save the Colts' season, but he was brought in to give the Colts their best shot at ending what was then a three-game losing streak and fight their way into the playoffs.
But the Colts were eliminated from the playoffs before kicking off agains the Jaguars on Sunday. Rivers, who went through the entire week of practice as the Colts' starter – their playoff hopes hinged on the Los Angeles Chargers beating the Texans, which they did not – and took all but one snap behind center in Week 17.
With the Colts knowing they're out of it heading into a full week of practice, Steichen could turn to rookie Riley Leonard for Week 18's season finale against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. If Anthony Richardson Sr. is ready, he could be an option, too (Richardson remains on injured reserve with an eye injury, though he's participated in practice in a limited fashion over the last two weeks).
We'll know in a few days what decision Steichen lands upon. But if this was the last go for Rivers, he'll be deeply thankful for the opportunity he seized a few weeks ago.
"If it's the last one, it's the last one," Rivers said. "I thought the last one was walking off the field in Buffalo (in January 2021). We're walking up that tunnel and I was fine with it. And that one had tears, and those few days after it — and I was at peace with that being the last one.
"So certainly, if it is, I got three bonus games that I never saw coming and couldn't be more thankful that I got the opportunity."
The gratitude here goes both ways, as Steichen and Rivers' teammates all expressed appreciation for the 44-year-old quarterback's willingness to come out of retirement to try to help this team's season in 2025.
"Him coming out one last time and fighting like crazy – it was impressive to see," head coach Shane Steicehn said. "And him being in the locker room with the guys, his fight, his character, his passion for the game – inspirational to a lot of people, not just our players, but people around the world watching football. It was pretty cool."
"He played at a good level against three really good teams," wide receiver Josh Downs said. "I appreciate him a lot. He's a great dude, he's very competitive, really smart and he's a great guy. ... It's incredible that he came off the couch and played after five years. I don't think anybody would do that except him."
"The fact that he was willing to come back and play when he didn't have to and help us out as a team was awesome," tight end Tyler Warren said. "And to be around him and see how he worked was awesome to be around."
"Just a fearless, fearless individual," running back Ameer Abdullah said. "Someone who sees the opportunity in every obstacle and a guy who's a natural born leader."
"To be so deep into his coaching and to get a call to go play in an NFL football game with the stretch that we had, that's a daunting task, but I'm sure that's probably why they called him because he's the one to be up for the challenge, to face it head on," running back Jonathan Taylor said. "So we all appreciate Phil a ton for coming and just trying to help us right this ship."
That sentiment from a swath of the Colts' roster was expressed across the home locker room at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday evening. Cornerback Sauce Gardner – who debuted in 2022 – told Rivers before the game he views the quarterback as a "legend" and added "I never would've thought I'd be sharing the field with you."
After Sunday's game, Gardner expanded his thoughts in a media scrum at his locker.
"I got so much gratitude, so much respect for him," Gardner said, "not just the player but the man that he is."
Linebacker Zaire Franklin, who played with Rivers from 2018-2020 with the Colts echoed that sentiment.
"He's an ultimate pro, ultimate competitor," Franklin said. "One of my favorite teammates that I ever had. It's unfortunate that we got him off the couch to lose."
Amid the gratitude expressed toward Rivers was an undercurrent of disappointment. The Colts were close in two of Rivers' three starts, and in the one they weren't, he threw for 277 yards and two touchdowns. But this is a remarkable story that did not have the ending Rivers or the Colts wanted.
"I'm gonna be on board to do what's best for the guys," Rivers said. "If this is the last one, shoot, I told you guys I wasn't gonna have any regrets about coming back, and I don't.
"Other than us not winning, right?"
