Maybe Philip Rivers isn't done playing in the NFL after all.
Rivers retired as a member of the LA Chargers this July, seemingly putting to an end any rumors of him returning to the NFL. The all-time Chargers great last played in 2020 for the Indianapolis Colts, and since his retirement, there were several instances in which a return seemed possible.
Against all odds, those rumors have returned in 2025. The Indianapolis Colts lost starting quarterback Daniel Jones to a torn Achilles and backup Will Leonard to a leg injury. With the options being sparse, and the Colts owning an 8-5 record, Shane Steichen is calling on an old friend: Philip Rivers.
According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport, the Colts are bringing Rivers in Tuesday for a visit. The Colts will put Rivers through a workout to see how the 44-year-old looks nearly five years after he last played in the NFL.
Philip Rivers could return to kick the Chargers out of the NFL Playoffs
Outside of this being completely surprising after Rivers retired a Charger this summer, the future Hall of Famer returning to action is important for another reason: it has a direct impact on the Chargers the rest of the season.
A loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night would give the Chargers the same record as both the Colts and Houston Texans. The Colts own the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Chargers, and the Texans play the Bolts later this year.
There are essentially three teams jockeying for two playoff spots and the Colts are one of them. With no quarterback and a difficult remaining schedule, the odds of the Chargers outlasting the team that beat them earlier this season were in LA's favor.
That changes if Rivers returns and can run a competent offense. Of course, he hasn't played for a half-decade and a 44-year-old returning to the NFL is literally unheard of. He's not going to come in and be as productive as Jones as under center for the team.
But can he come in and be a game manager that let's the stout rushing attack lead the way? Perhaps. At the very least, Indianapolis would have an adult under center, which completely changes the overall playoff picture in the AFC.
Rivers returning to play would truly be one of the most surprising NFL stories in recent league history. Additionally, one of the most beloved players in franchise history could actively keep the team he just retired with out of the NFL Playoffs.
It's a story written straight out of Hollywood. As cool as it would be to see Rivers back in action, this could have an unhappy ending for the Chargers. Time will tell.