The Indianapolis Colts named rookie Riley Leonard their starting quarterback for Week 18, replacing veteran Philip Rivers. Both players spoke to reporters afterward.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Indianapolis Colts' quarterback situation has been a bit of a soap opera for the last year.
At the conclusion of last season, the Colts vowed to bring in competition for Anthony Richardson Sr., which came in the form of free agent Daniel Jones. Jones ultimately bested Richardson in the summer quarterback competition for the right to be the starter.
Jones played the best football of his NFL career in 2025, leading the Colts to an 8-2 record before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 14. Richardson had suffered his own serious injury to an eye during a freak pregame accident back in Week 6, so he was unable to take over in Jones' absence.
That left rookie sixth-round pick Riley Leonard as the last feasible option. However, the Colts felt they needed more to change their fortunes and make the postseason. Therefore, they called on 44-year-old Philip Rivers to salvage their season. Rivers was the last quarterback to get the Colts into the playoffs back in 2020.
After Rivers and the Colts went 0-3 in matchups with the Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, and Jacksonville Jaguars — all playoff-bound — they have been eliminated from playoff contention. They now have one game left in their season on Sunday on the road against the Houston Texans. With those aspirations dashed, Colts head coach Shane Steichen decided to make a move, finally turning to Leonard and keeping Rivers' health intact.
"Riley is going to be our starting quarterback this week," Steichen told reporters on Wednesday. "Excited for Riley's opportunity. Proud of the way he's handled himself all season. Will be a great opportunity for him to go out, develop, continue to grow as a quarterback. So, excited for that.
"As far as Philip, obviously, grateful for Philip. A lot of people ask me, ‘Is he sticking around this week?’ I said, ‘Yeah, he's sticking around.’ He's going to finish this thing out and be a mentor to Riley and obviously, being from the same hometown as Riley in Fairhope, he's excited for that, and scout team and battle like crazy with the guys, but grateful for the three weeks that he came back. Means a lot to a lot of guys in this locker room."
Steichen then acknowledged that Rivers may "possibly" be the emergency third quarterback on Sunday, and would be the backup quarterback to Leonard if practice squad addition Seth Henigan — signed this week — is not yet ready.
"Just gratitude, really," Leonard said about being named the starter. "It’s a long season. A lot of waiting, a lot of waiting for the right time, and you never really know when that time is. But it’s good to know on a Wednesday here that I’ll be the guy, be able to prepare – no differently, but there's certainly a little bit more urgency and just more trust in the locker room with conversations with guys about the game plan and stuff like that that I'm looking forward to having."
"Just how blessed am I, right? There's only 32 guys that are going to start in the NFL this week, so I'm one of them," Leonard continued. "I mean, it's hard to even – I don't even think the mind can comprehend the statistics of that happening. But just super grateful to be one of those guys and be able to showcase what I've been working for my whole life."
Leonard and Rivers, who were already acquainted as Fairhope, Ala. natives who train together in the offseason, have formed a bond that has strengthened over the last month with Rivers returning to Indy.
"Yeah, Philip has been one of the best things that's happened to me," Leonard declared. "I've been very fortunate with the quarterback room, from Philip to Daniel to Anthony. Everybody's been a huge help. I think the biggest thing Philip taught me was to remember why you play the game. I mean, he's 44 years old, and I think the sole purpose of why he came back was because he loves football, and he has so much fun out there.
"I think as a rookie, there are a lot of things that I haven't learned yet emotionally. It's easy to look at all the things that don't matter, but what really matters is when you go out there, you give it your best. You love the game. You prepare because you love it. You come in here every day because you love the game. And you guys can see it when he plays, but it's pretty obvious that he's having fun out there. So, trying to do that on Sunday as well."
For Rivers, he is more than willing to stick around Indianapolis and help his protege ahead of his first-career NFL start.
"I’ll help in any way possible," Rivers said. "I told (Leonard) that, want to be there to help him prepare throughout the week and any way I can assist on game day. Obviously, our offensive staff’s a heck of a group, and you can almost get too much coaching, but hopefully I can be there for him to lean on as needed. Already got off to that start yesterday and today, but excited to see him out there."
As for whether Rivers wanted to finish out his second stint with the Colts starting in the final week, Rivers acknowledged the desire was there, but that it made the most sense to make a move to Leonard.
"I think it just made the most sense," Rivers said. "I mean, it's kind of a loaded question because wanting to play was part of the reason I was back, but it was also the opportunity with a chance to hopefully get us in the postseason or help get us in the postseason. So, I think it just made the most sense for all involved to get Riley in there and let him get some work. I know he's been preparing and working all year. Now he's going to get a shot to go out there, and we're all pulling for him."
The Colts travel to Houston this Sunday to take on the Texans at 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS.
Jake Arthur has been covering the Indianapolis Colts for over a dozen years and is a member of the PFWA. He's one half of the Locked On Colts podcast and has worked for the Colts' official website, On SI, and more. You can follow him on X @JakeArthurNFL.