Heads were turned across the NFL on Monday when it was announced that 44-year-old Phillip Rivers was visiting Indianapolis to try out for the Colts’ quarterback opening. And the sportsbooks are noticing, too, as the long-time veteran pass thrower is now very much a candidate to win the Comeback Player of the Year award despite there being just four regular season games remaining.
Phillip Rivers Is A Candidate For NFL Comeback POY
Almost immediately after the signing, oddsmakers installed Rivers among the top candidates for CBPOY. According to DraftKings, Rivers is currently listed at +1800 to win the award (5.2% implied odds), which is the third-lowest figure of any player in the league.
It puts him behind only Christian McCaffrey (-140) and Dak Prescott (+125).
PHILIP RIVERS ALREADY HAS THE 3RD BEST ODDS TO WIN COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR 🤯
(Via @DKSportsbook) pic.twitter.com/oAHkq6bIaD
— br_betting (@br_betting) December 9, 2025
Rivers isn’t just your prototypical comeback candidate. He hasn’t played a regular-season snap since 2020, has spent years away from NFL-level competition, and has 10 children (and now a grandchild), which is hardly the typical profile of a comeback-season frontrunner.
But the storyline writes itself. A grandfather, coming out of retirement, chasing one last dream with four games to go. His familiarity with Colts head coach Shane Steichen (they worked together during Rivers’s time with the Chargers) adds a hint of legitimacy to the gamble.
The #Colts are bringing QB Philip Rivers in for a workout on Tuesday, per @MikeGarafolo.
Rivers, who is a grandfather, last played for the Colts in the COVID season. pic.twitter.com/6kgQVZLTuD
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 8, 2025
What makes this especially interesting is what the award voters might need to reconcile. The Comeback Player award traditionally recognizes those overcoming injury, illness or other setbacks, not necessarily a voluntary retirement. Yet in the absurd, chaotic environment of the current NFL season, Phillip Rivers taking home some impressive hardware in the year 2025 is not at all out of the realm of possibility.
McCaffrey is currently the odds-on favorite, and the honors are his to lose. After playing in just four games last season with what many thought could be a career-altering injury, the 49ers running back has yet to miss a game in 2025, and leads the league in touches with 322 through 13 contests. McCaffrey’s designation of -140 carries implied odds of 58.3%.
