The Indianapolis Colts will head into Week 18’s divisional battle against the Houston Texans with Philip Rivers and company having been eliminated from playoff contention.
Even though the Colts have nothing to play for in the regular-season finale, Rivers will be playing in his last NFL game if given the nod to be the starter against the Texans.
Colts QB Philip Rivers Opens Up About Final NFL Game
GettyPhilip Rivers #17 of the Indianapolis Colts
There’s a chance that the Colts could go in a different direction in the regular-season finale by starting Riley Leonard over Rivers. The veteran quarterback was asked how he’d feel if he had already played his last game in the NFL during media availability.
“If this was the last one, shoot, I told you guys I wouldn’t have any regrets about coming back,” Rivers said. “And I don’t.
“Other than us not winning, it’s been an absolute blast for three weeks. If I go back and say, ‘All right, you know everything that’s gonna happen, what are you gonna do?’ I’d do it all again. It’s been absolutely awesome.”
“If it’s the last one, it’s the last one,” Rivers said. “I thought the last one was walking off the field in Buffalo, walking up that tunnel. And I was fine with that. That one, I had tears those few days after it. And I was at peace with that being the last one. So certainly if it is, I got three bonus games that I never saw coming and couldn’t be more thankful that I go the opportunity.”
Rivers also admitted that regardless of the outcome of Week 18, he won’t play again and will return to coaching high school football.
In the three games that Rivers has played thus far, the future Hall of Famer threw for 544 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions while completing 63 percent of his passes.
Colts Mulling Decision on Starting QB for Week 18
GettyHead coach Shane Steichen of the Indianapolis Colts and Philip Rivers #17
Colts head coach Shane Steichen told the media on Monday that the team is still in the process of deciding who will start under center on Sunday at NRG Stadium against the Texans.
“As for the quarterback situation, we’re still having ongoing conversations about that,” Steichen said. “I’ll figure it out on Tuesday, and then I’ll let you guys know on Wednesday. So we’ll have some ongoing conversations this evening and have an answer there on Tuesday and let you guys know on Wednesday on how all that’s going to go.”
Leonard, who the Colts selected with the 189th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, out of Notre Dame, has played in four games during his rookie campaign. He has thrown for 145 yards and two interceptions during those appearances.
With Leonard not exactly making a great impression during the games he’s played this season, the Colts could simply start the 44-year-old Rivers for one more game in hopes of ending a once-promising 2025 campaign on a strong note.
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