After a red-hot start to the 2025 NFL season, the Indianapolis Colts‘ season comes to an end on a sour note in Week 18, as they fell to the division rival Houston Texans in a shootout, 38-30.
With the season now officially over for the Colts, veteran quarterback Philip Rivers will head into retirement, as he has let it be known that he has played his last game in the NFL.
However, he might not be done in the league, as he is reportedly receiving interest in being a head coach, which is an interesting development, as many believed he’d simply return to coaching high school football.
Philip Rivers Getting Interest as NFL Head-Coaching Candidate
GettyPhilip Rivers #17 of the Indianapolis Colts
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Rivers might end up being a candidate for a head coaching vacancy in the NFL during the upcoming offseason.
Several sources say Rivers could end up as a head coach candidate this cycle and the current belief is that Rivers gets at least one opportunity to interview, possibly more. Only two teams currently have head coach openings — the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans — though that number is expected to grow after Sunday.
After the dust has settled on Week 18, teams around the league are expected to make decisions on the fate of their head coaches, which will likely result in several openings.
Rivers has been courted before, according to Rapoport, but has been unwilling to make the jump to the professional or college level. That could change this time around with the right opportunity.
Sources say that teams have been doing research on Rivers as a candidate and making background calls. That happened last year, as well. Rivers previously has never been willing to engage — not with college or NFL teams — but his dramatic return to the NFL in December might have sparked his interest.
It’ll be interesting to see if Rivers does end up in the running for a head coaching job in the NFL and which team that opportunity comes from.
Colts HC Shane Steichen & GM Chris Ballard Will Return Next Season
GettyHead coach Shane Steichen of the Indianapolis Colts speaks with General Manager Chris Ballard
With the Colts losing seven straight games to end the 2025 season, questions have arisen about the job security of head coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard.
Although a late-season collapse like this raises questions about the Colts’ need to clean house, the team is not going down that route, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
With Steichen and Ballard back in the fold for the 2026 NFL season, the attention turns to the quarterback position and what the team intends to do, whether it is to put their faith in Anthony Richardson or Riley Leonard or explore the market in NFL free agency.
There could be some intriguing options out there, with quarterbacks Malik Willis and Jacoby Brissett potentially being candidates to be the next starter under center, with Daniel Jones expected to miss the 2026 campaign due to his recovery from a torn Achilles.
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