Philip Rivers officially retired as a member of the LA Chargers in July, 2025. Less than four months later, he's improbably back on an NFL roster. After being decimated with quarterback injuries, the Indianapolis Colts have officially signed Rivers to their practice squad.
Rivers, 44, worked out for the Colts on Monday night to see what kind of football shape he is currently in. The former Chargers quarterback hasn't played in the NFL since the 2020 season, although there were several instances in which he was rumored to make a return. The last significant rumor was in 2023, when it was reported Rivers was the San Francisco 49ers' contingency plan if they had made the Super Bowl.
It's unclear whether or not Rivers will actually take a snap for the Colts this season or in the playoffs. If he remains on the practice squad it will not reset his Hall of Fame eligibility. If he does, his eligibility will reset until 2030.
It's unclear if he will eventually sign another ceremonial one-day contract to retire as a Charger.
Colts' plan with Philip Rivers is off-the-wall, but makes sense
This is the most surprising story of the 2025 NFL season but desperate times truly call for desperate measures. And as jarring as this story is, it actually makes sense what the Colts are trying to accomplish given the circumstances.
Rivers still works out with quarterbacks in the offseason to prepare them for the NFL Draft. One of those quarterbacks was Riley Leonard, whom Rivers reportedly has a close relationship to. By signing him to the practice squad, the Colts essentially get a pseudo-quarterbacks coach in the building to help Leonard take on this tall task.
Leonard also has injury concerns of his own, however, so Rivers becomes a "break glass in case of emergency" option if the Colts need quarterback help. He could instantly serve as the emergency third quarterback without being active as early as Week 15, and from there could be elevated from the practice squad if the Colts truly need him.
If Indianapolis falls out of playoff contention, or Leonard holds his own, then there won't be a need for Rivers. Indianapolis will only call on Rivers if they desperately need quarterback help to make the NFL Playoffs, and if Rivers himself proves he can hold up while practicing on the practice squad.
Rivers' ties to the Colts is what made this happen. In addition to being close with Leonard, Rivers is also close with Shane Steichen, who was on the Chargers coaching staff from 2014 through 2020.
It might be a baffling, off-the-wall idea, but the Colts clearly preferred this route than throwing Brett Rypien out there with no real contingency plan. Now, Chargers fans have to patiently wait to see if Rivers takes another snap, and if it impacts the Bolts' race for a playoff spot in the AFC.