Why Philip Rivers’ surprise Colts reunion could mean everything to Riley Leonard

The Indianapolis Colts have been forced to face the worst-case scenario after Week 14. Quarterback Daniel Jones had gained traction earlier in the season in MVP discussions. After struggling through most of his career, Jones was on a hot streak in Indianapolis until the last few games.

Then disaster struck; Jones, who already had a fractured fibula in his left leg, suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in his right. He'll be out for at least nine months, and with Anthony Richardson already on injured reserve, that leaves rookie Riley Leonard — previously QB3 — the Colts' new starting quarterback.

Yet the Colts desperately need more depth at quarterback, so they have signed Philip Rivers to the practice squad, with the 44-year-old quarterback coming out of retirement. It seems that Rivers is most likely to serve in a mentor capacity to Leonard rather than being expected to start, and in that sense, it's a perfect signing.

Philip Rivers’ return to the Colts is more than just roster depth for Riley Leonard

In April, the Colts drafted Leonard in round six, a decision which at the time was deemed risky, though it clearly paid off now. In his one season at Notre Dame, he helped bring the Fighting Irish to a national championship, and he's known to be a talented, dual-threat quarterback. Yet like many rookie QBs, he has some problems with consistency.

And who was it that helped prepare Leonard to take Notre Dame to a championship? None other than Philip Rivers himself, who lives just minutes away from Leonard's home in Alabama. Leonard practiced in Rivers' backyard before his 2024 Notre Dame season, and it clearly paid off.

Rivers was cheering Leonard on through his college career, and of course, had high praise to give after the Colts drafted him earlier this year. "(Leonard's) just a real pleasant and enjoyable guy to be around," Rivers said. "Just really humble, but really competitive and wants to just soak up all he can. You always want those young guys to be confident but also have that humility that, 'I got a long way to go.'"

He also said Leonard had a great work ethic and would be a huge help to the Colts. "The thing about Riley, he's going to do all those things right. He's going to be there early. He's going to end up being an asset to the whole quarterback room in terms of preparing the starter for the season, all while he's getting himself better. It'll be a good working environment for Riley and Shane and that offensive staff — I know a handful of those guys as well — they'll do a heck of a job."

As for Leonard, he's excited to potentially start his first NFL game, but is also ready to root for Rivers if he doesn't end up starting. “I’m only a rookie, but I’ve learned in this business, don’t have an opinion on it, just excited to be my best,” Leonard said. “He’s obviously a good friend, a mentor of mine.”

It's not the first time Leonard has spoken about the relationship he has with Rivers; before being drafted, he said the two were still in touch, and he was still practicing in Rivers' backyard, saying he was practicing not only with Rivers, but with his son, Gunner, too.

"Probably the biggest thing that I learned was just how intentional he is about every little thing. Like, if we're doing the warm-up and we're taking five-step drops, those five-step drops have to be pristine in order to be good enough for him," he said, adding, "I think the littlest details to him are the most important in the world."

It's still not clear which of the two quarterbacks will end up starting for Week 15. But while the Colts' season feels like it is falling apart, the reunion of these two could actually serve to be a source of optimism for fans.