According to NFL insiders, Phillip Rivers is flying to Indianapolis to work out for the Colts quarterback vacancy on Monday. It happens to be his 44th birthday.
Is 44-Year-Old Phillip Rivers Making An NFL Comeback?
Sunday’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars ended with disaster for the Colts. Daniel Jones, who has resurrected his career in Indianapolis this season, left the contest after suffering a torn Achilles tendon. It is a tough blow for a team that started the season 8-2, especially now that their playoff hopes are slimming after three straight losses and a brutal upcoming schedule.
The #Colts are planning to bring potential Hall of Fame QB Philip Rivers into their facility Tuesday to work out to see if he may join their practice squad, per me & @MikeGarafolo.
This is real. Daniel Jones’ season is over, Riley Leonard will start, but Rivers may be an option. pic.twitter.com/H3tQW2R3s7
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 8, 2025
With Anthony Richardson still sidelined, it looked like the team would have to turn to rookie QB Riley Leonard to keep their postseason dreams afloat. They apparently aren’t ready to do that, and are willing to go to rather extreme measures to find a leader for the rest of the year.
Phillip Rivers hasn’t played in an NFL game since January 9th, 2021. That is nearly 1,800 days away from the sport, and he turned 44 on Monday. But the last action of his career came in Indianapolis with the Colts, and they apparently want to know if he has anything left in the tank. As Ian Rapoport reported in conjunction with Mike Garafolo, Rivers is flying to Indy to work out with the team in the coming days.
Rivers Hasn’t Played Football In Nearly 1,800 Days
Though Rivers hasn’t played in regular-season NFL games in nearly five years, he carries veteran know-how, leadership, and a deep familiarity with pro offenses. Those traits could help the embattled Colts keep their head above water in the playoff chase, at least more so than their rookie quarterback with no experience at all.
Philip Rivers' oldest kid is almost the same age as Riley Leonard
— Mina Kimes (@minakimes) December 9, 2025
That said, there are no guarantees. Being away from the game for so long as well as the general aging process make a Phillip Rivers signing feel unrealistic. The physical demands and wear-and-tear on bodies this late in the season make any hypothetical comeback risky.
But for the Colts, it may be a no-lose situation. Rivers likely won’t be the only signal caller that they work out this week, and it is worth exploring all of their options before making a decision. The team wants to capitalize on the dominant start they had to the season, and won’t be able to do so with inexperience under center.
