Teary-eyed Philip Rivers says he'd 'do it all again' with Colts following his expected last start: 'It's been an absolute blast'
- - Teary-eyed Philip Rivers says he'd 'do it all again' with Colts following his expected last start: 'It's been an absolute blast'
Jason Owens December 28, 2025 at 9:00 PM
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The Indianapolis Colts didn't win any of his starts. But Philip Rivers gave them a chance in one of the more remarkable stories of this or any other NFL season.
And after what's expected to be his last NFL game — a 23-17 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday — Rivers said that he'd do it all again, even knowing that he wouldn't win in his brief, unprecedented NFL comeback.
"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."
'I couldn't be more thankful'
Rivers then started to fight back tears and spoke about what he and everyone around him previously thought was his last NFL game with the Colts in the playoffs after the 2020 season.
"If it's the last one, it's the last one," Rivers continued. "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 got the opportunity."
Philip Rivers runs off the field after what's likely his last NFL start. (Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Rivers' remarkable return
The Colts haven't been to the playoffs since Rivers played in that wild-card loss to the Bills in January 2021. So when Daniel Jones ruptured his Achilles, leaving the Colts desperate at quarterback in the thick of a playoff race, the team gave him a call.
Few were able to predict what came next. Not only did Rivers answer the call at 44 years old. But he suited up to play in an NFL game days later having not played in the league in nearly five years. And when he took the field, he was a capable starting NFL quarterback. At his best in his three games, he was more than that.
The Colts limited the playbook in Rivers' first game back, and his arm strength was noticeably sapped as Indianapolis largely kept the offense to Jonathan Taylor runs and short passes. But Rivers made the most of the opportunity and led the Colts to a late fourth-quarter lead against a Seahawks team that might be the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs before Seattle rallied for the 16-14 win.
The limitations were off for Rivers' second game, and he led the Colts to touchdowns on their first two drives before the San Francisco 49ers overwhelmed the Indianapolis defense in a 47-28 Week 16 win.
Then on Sunday, Rivers threw a third-quarter touchdown to give the Colts a 17-14 lead before the Jacksonville Jaguars pulled away for a 23-17 win.
The Colts have been eliminated from the playoffs, and NFL Network reported Sunday that the Jaguars game was likely to be Rivers' last. Rookie Riley Leonard is expected to start in Week 18 against the Houston Texans, according to the report.
Rivers' final 2025 tally
If it was his last game, Rivers will finish his 2025 season having completed 63% of his passes for 5.9 yards per attempt and 181.3 yards per game with 4 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. He did so against three teams that are going to the playoffs.
The Colts didn't win. And his arm isn't what it used to be. But it was pretty good for a 44-year-old coming off the couch.
That Rivers was able to suit up for the 53-man roster on game days in his position was remarkable. That he was able to start on days' notice and do so as a competent NFL quarterback is astounding.
The NFL's never seen it before. And it very well may never again.
Source: “AOL Sports”
