At a Glance
- Philip Rivers may play his last NFL game after the Colts lost 23-17 to Jacksonville.
- He surpassed Warren Moon as the fourth-oldest quarterback to start in league history.
- The Colts, 8-8, are out of the playoffs for the fifth straight season.
- Why it matters: Fans will see whether Rivers’ career ends and the Colts decide their future quarterback.
Philip Rivers, the 44-year-old quarterback, walked off the field after the Colts’ 23-17 loss to Jacksonville, hinting that this might be his final snap. The team, already eliminated from the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year, is now 8-8 and looking toward the future.
Rivers Faces Final Snap
After the defeat, Philip Rivers said:
> “It’s been an absolute blast for three weeks and if I go back now and said, ‘All right, now you know everything that’s going to happen, what are you going to do? I’d do it all again,'”
He added that if this is his last game, he’s already prepared to walk off the field, recalling his 2021 farewell in Buffalo.
- Energized the locker room after Daniel Jones’ season-ending Achilles injury.
- Helped the Colts avoid a historic second-half collapse that would have made them the first team in 30 years to start 8-2 and miss the playoffs.
Colts’ Season Overview
The Colts’ 8-8 record includes a 6-6 start, and the team has struggled since its 8-2 beginning. Rivers’ three starts ended in losses, adding to the franchise’s six-game skid.
Future of the Colts
With only one game left against Houston, the Colts could give Rivers a final start, but coach Shane Steichen said they may also consider rookie Anthony Richardson or Riley Leonard.
Shane Steichen said:
> “I’ll figure that out Tuesday.”
Philip Rivers reflected on his career and family, saying:
> “I’m going to be on board and supportive of whatever the organization, Shane and whoever, however that decision is going to come to be. I’m sure I’ll have some conversation. It won’t just be a blind-side Tuesday conversation for me. And I’m going to be on board to do what’s best for the guys.”
Key Takeaways
- Rivers may play his final NFL game after the Colts’ loss.
- He is the fourth-oldest quarterback to start in league history.
- The Colts are deciding whether to keep Rivers or look to younger quarterbacks.
The Colts’ season has ended, and the future of their quarterback position hangs in the balance as Rivers contemplates his legacy.
