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 nan 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 he has nary regrets astir coming back. 

"I mean if this was nan 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 absolute blast for 3 weeks. I wouldn’t, if I spell backmost and say, ‘All right, now you cognize everything that’s going to happen. What are you going to do?’ I’d do it each again. It’s been perfectly awesome. I mean, if it’s nan past one, it’s nan past one," Rivers said during his property convention aft nan Colts' nonaccomplishment to nan Jacksonville Jaguars connected Sunday.

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

Rivers said he will beryllium backmost connected nan sideline coaching adjacent twelvemonth and that he will not beryllium making different return to nan field. The eight-time Pro Bowler said he is thankful for getting 3 prize games.

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

"It’s been a blast to beryllium retired location and hole pinch these guys and conflict pinch them. Just dislike 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 nan first half of an NFL crippled against nan Jacksonville Jaguars successful Indianapolis, Indiana, connected Dec. 28, 2025. (Carolyn Kaster/AP Photo)

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

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

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

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

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