Colts reportedly bench 44-year-old Philip Rivers after 0-3 start, veteran QB says he has no regrets

The Indianapolis Colts are reportedly making a alteration astatine quarterback, benching the 44-year-old Philip Rivers aft 3 games for rookie Riley Leonard. 

Rivers, who precocious became a grandfather, improbably came backmost aft retiring successful 2020 to effort and spark a playoff run. The squad went 0-3 successful his starts, but Rivers played admirably and said helium has nary regrets astir coming back. 

"I mean if this was the past one, shoot, I told you guys I wasn’t going to person immoderate regrets astir coming back, and I don’t. It’s different than america not winning, right? It’s been an implicit blast for 3 weeks. I wouldn’t, if I spell backmost and say, ‘All right, present you cognize everything that’s going to happen. What are you going to do?’ I’d bash it each again. It’s been perfectly awesome. I mean, if it’s the past one, it’s the past one," Rivers said during his property league aft the Colts' nonaccomplishment to the Jacksonville Jaguars connected Sunday.

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Indianapolis Colts backmost Philip Rivers jogs disconnected the tract pursuing an NFL crippled against the Jacksonville Jaguars successful Indianapolis, Indiana, connected Dec. 28, 2025. (AJ Mast/AP Photo)

Rivers said helium volition beryllium backmost connected the sideline coaching adjacent twelvemonth and that helium volition not beryllium making different instrumentality to the field. The eight-time Pro Bowler said helium is thankful for getting 3 bonus games.

"I thought the past (game) was walking disconnected the tract successful Buffalo, walking up that tunnel, and I was good with that. And that 1 had tears and those fewer days aft I was astatine bid with that being the past one. So surely if it is, I got 3 bonus games I ne'er saw coming and couldn’t beryllium much thankful that I got the opportunity," Rivers said. 

"It’s been a blast to beryllium retired determination and hole with these guys and combat with them. Just hatred that we haven’t been capable to get it done."

WHY PHILIP RIVERS' NFL COMEBACK STORY IS RESONATING WITH CHRISTIANS

Indianapolis Colts backmost Philip Rivers throws during the archetypal fractional of an NFL crippled against the Jacksonville Jaguars successful Indianapolis, Indiana, connected Dec. 28, 2025. (Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo)

Rivers thought helium played the worst of his 3 games successful the team's nonaccomplishment to the Jaguars, saying helium couldn’t get successful sync oregon get immoderate rhythm. Against the Jaguars, Rivers completed 17 of 30 passes for 147 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception. 

While the Colts didn’t triumph immoderate of Rivers’ starts, they were successful each 3 games. His champion show came against the San Francisco 49ers past week, erstwhile helium completed 23 of 35 passes for 277 yards with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception successful a 48-27 loss. 

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Daniel Jones tore his Achilles tendon successful a nonaccomplishment to the Jaguars astatine the opening of the month, and Leonard came successful relief. However, Leonard got injured during that game, which opened the doorway for Rivers to return.

Now, with the squad retired of a playoff spot and Leonard backmost to afloat health, helium volition commencement successful the team’s Week 18 matchup against the Houston Texans. The Colts and Texans play astatine 1 p.m. ET connected Sunday. 

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