Indianapolis, IN

If Anthony Richardson Can’t Beat Out 44-Year-Old Philip Rivers, That’s A Big Problem

Published

1 month ago

December 15, 2025

If Anthony Richardson Can’t Beat Out 44-Year-Old Philip Rivers, That’s A Big Problem

Indianapolis’s playoff chances collide with player development as Rivers challenges a cleared Richardson for QB1.

PublishedDecember 15, 2025 2:55 PM EST•UpdatedDecember 15, 2025 2:55 PM EST

After Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending torn Achilles, the Indianapolis Colts turned to 44-year-old Philip Rivers. Rivers, who hadn’t taken an NFL snap since January 2021, immediately stepped into the team’s starting lineup and nearly led the team to a shocking upset over the Seattle Seahawks.

But there’s a new wrinkle. Anthony Richardson, the quarterback the Colts selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, was cleared to return to football activities. Richardson suffered a freak pregame orbital fracture on Oct. 12.

Now the question for the Colts is simple: Who starts at quarterback when Richardson is healthy enough to play? The decision would be easy if the Colts were out of playoff contention. They would start the young quarterback and hope he shows some of the flashes he displayed during his very short rookie season.

But the Colts are still very much in the AFC postseason picture, currently sitting at 8-6. They are one game behind the Houston Texans for the seventh and final playoff spot with a game against Houston scheduled for Week 18.

They are also two games behind the Jacksonville Jaguars for the AFC South lead, and the two teams meet in Week 17. The Colts don’t control their own postseason destiny; even if Indianapolis wins out, the Texans would get in over the Colts if Houston wins its other two remaining games.

Still, the first step is to win the final three games. That starts with a Monday Night Football matchup against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 16. Rivers is going to start that game, according to head coach Shane Steichen.

This isn’t surprising news, since Richardson hasn’t practiced yet. But there’s going to be a decision between the two starters soon. Who gives them the best chance to win once both QBs are healthy?

Richardson vs. Rivers for Colts QB1

If the answer is Rivers, that’s a death knell for the career of Richardson. Losing the starting job to Daniel Jones was one thing, but failing to start over a 44-year-old QB who spent nearly five years out of the NFL is another matter entirely.

With Anthony Richardson cleared for football activities, the Indianapolis Colts are likely to have to make a decision between the young quarterback and the recently-signed 44-year-old Philip Rivers.

(Imagn Images)

Despite going 6-5 as a starter last season, Richardson completed less than 50% of his passes and threw more interceptions (12) than touchdown passes (8). Of course, Richardson does a lot of his damage on the ground, rushing for 499 yards and 6 touchdowns in his 11 starts in 2024.

Rivers didn’t light up the Seahawks’ defense on Sunday, but he was efficient. He completed 18 of 27 passes for 120 yards, 1 touchdown and 1 interception. The interception came on a desperation heave on the team’s final possession with the game virtually out of reach. Rivers got the ball out quickly, taking only one sack against a very good Seattle defense.

Head coach Shane Steichen was hired prior to the team drafting Richardson, so he has some motivation to ensure Richardson succeeds in the NFL. But he’s not going to put that above the team’s short-term future, which includes an opportunity to reach the playoffs.

Ultimately, Steichen is going to start the quarterback he believes gives him the best chance to win the next three games. If that quarterback is Philip Rivers, it means Anthony Richardson’s NFL future is very, very bleak.

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Indianapolis, IN

IU lands back in Indiana with extra carry-on: A national championship

Published

9 hours ago

January 20, 2026

Press Room

IU lands back in Indiana with extra carry-on: A national championship

The Indiana Hoosiers flew back to Indianapolis on Jan. 20 with one additional carry-on: a national championship trophy.

One by one as the sun was setting, the players on the IU football team disembarked a United charter flight at the Indianapolis International Airport and boarded a handful of coach buses to take them the rest of the way back to Bloomington, where celebrations will continue into the coming days and weekend. Some players wore shorts as they stepped out into the bitter Indiana cold while others were bundled up in pajama pants.

Starting quarterback and Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza had on shorts and a pair of shiny gold headphones as he exited with his team.

And less than 24 hours after he led his team to a perfect 16-0 season and the first national championship in program history, IU football head coach Curt Cignetti, known for his dour expressions, offered a wave and a slight smile to a small crowd of local media as he walked the short distance to the bus.

Though there was no iconic trophy lift as the team exited the plane, the hardware will be arriving in Bloomington soon enough.

A handful of fans used some savvy flight tracking skills to find the team’s flight and braved the cold to see a glimpse of the buses leaving the private charters terminal on the north side of the airport.

Karen and Mel Fletcher from Greenwood staked out a spot outside the airport as they waited for the team to land and head to Bloomington. Between the two of them, the couple had three kids graduate from IU, and the pair have been waiting decades for a national championship.

“We came out early and just hopefully, we could see them,” Karen Fletcher said.

The Fletchers had high praise for the Hoosiers as the motorcade passed by.

“It was a great team, a great bunch of guys. Fantastic coach. And they did it,” Karen Fletcher said.

Alysa Guffey writes business, health and development stories for IndyStar. Have a story tip? Contact her at amguffey@usatodayco.com or on X: @AlysaGuffeyNews.

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Indianapolis, IN

Neighbors honor retiring mailman for 20 years of service

Published

21 hours ago

January 20, 2026

Press Room

Neighbors honor retiring mailman for 20 years of service

One Indiana mailman’s retirement has brought the community together to honor his 20 years of work.

Residents of one Indianapolis area neighborhood worked together to honor “Mr. Kenny, “who’s also lived in that same neighboorhood for over three decades.

According to neighbors, he has always been a light in the neighborhood, going above and beyond what was required of his job.

Mr. Kenny described the neighborhood as more than a job, also saying they are like family.

“Kids in the neighborhood did pictures, you know, they would make pictures for me. I used to work six days a week so I would see these people everyday and then it just became like we were family, you know they treated me like their family,” said Kenneth Caldwell, mailman.

Because for Kenny, being there for his community was more than delivering letters and packages.

What we don’t know is what Kenny’s future plans are.

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Indianapolis, IN

Suspect sought after Indiana judge, wife shot inside home

Published

1 day ago

January 19, 2026

Press Room

Suspect sought after Indiana judge, wife shot inside home

A manhunt was underway on Monday for whoever shot an Indiana judge and his wife on Sunday afternoon.

Tippecanoe Superior Court 2 Judge Steve Meyer and his wife, Kim, were injured in a shooting at their home, Chief Justice of Indiana Hon. Loretta H. Rush said in a letter.

The shooting occurred at approximately 2:15 p.m. at the couple’s residence in Lafayette, Indiana, which is approximately 60 miles northwest of Indianapolis. Officers arrived and located both victims, who were taken to a nearby hospital in stable condition, reported WTHR, the NBC affiliate in Indianapolis. In an update on Monday, Lafayette police said Steve Meyer suffered an injury to his arm, while Kimberly Meyer suffered a hip injury.

Rush said police were still looking for the suspect.

Lafayette police said “an active and ongoing joint investigation” was underway.

Anyone with information about the shooting was asked to call police at 765-807-1200.

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