Indianapolis, IN

Philip Rivers’ starting stint with Colts should make us appreciate him more

Published

2 weeks ago

December 29, 2025

Philip Rivers’ starting stint with Colts should make us appreciate him more

INDIANAPOLIS — Philip Rivers wasn’t able to change the course of this Colts season.

A promising campaign that seemed lost when Daniel Jones tore his Achilles tendon in Jacksonville effectively ended when the team was eliminated from the playoffs before Rivers led the Colts onto the field against the Jaguars again.

The collapse, the kind that hasn’t been seen in the NFL in thirty years, prompts big questions about the future of the franchise, questions that can only be answered definitively by Carlie Irsay-Gordon in her first year as principal owner.

Those answers will come later.

For the moment, it is OK to appreciate what Rivers brought to Indianapolis, the NFL and the sport at large at the age of 44, even though he wasn’t able to make the Colts’ wildest dreams come true by leading the team to the playoffs.

“If this was the last one … shoot,” Rivers said. “I told you guys I wouldn’t have any regrets about coming back and I don’t. Other than us not winning, right – us not winning. It’s been an absolute blast for three weeks.”

Three starts in December at the age of 44 were not going to change Rivers’ Hall of Fame credentials. Not unless he somehow led the Colts to a Super Bowl, the sort of fairy-tale ending that would have been in production at Disney before the halftime show began in Santa Clara.

But the three starts Rivers made in December gave the NFL world a chance to fully appreciate what made Rivers great, on the field and off, as a representative of the game.

Rivers wasn’t the same player he’d been in 2020.

Far from it. The old shotput motion was still there, but he clearly had less velocity on his throws, leading to misses that Rivers could have made in his sleep the last time he took the field. After a surprising performance against San Francisco on Monday Night, Rivers fell back to Earth on Sunday.

“I thought this was probably the worst game I’ve had of the three,” Rivers said. “Just couldn’t get in really any sync or rhythm.”

The game-changing interception Rivers threw in the fourth quarter brought home his diminished physical ability. Rivers fluttered an out route to slot receiver Josh Downs, leaving plenty of time for Jacksonville cornerback Jarrian Jones to undercut it for a pick.

“I wasn’t fooled by any means,” Rivers said. “It was just a bad throw.”

The throws shouldn’t be the takeaway from these three starts.

Rivers wasn’t fooled. By just about anything. Five seasons after he last started in the NFL, Rivers flew back into Indianapolis on the whim of Shane Steichen and Chris Ballard, stepped back into a quarterback meeting room and immediately knew more than almost anybody else in the league.

In the history of the NFL, for that matter. Only a few quarterbacks have ever been able to process information at the line of scrimmage like Rivers, a 44-year-old who kept shocking the Colts with his ability to see what was coming.

Wide receiver Alec Pierce got a taste in Rivers’ first start. When Pierce looked at Seattle’s defense, he saw the Seahawks in a pressure look the Colts had seen on tape, and he told Rivers the blitz was coming.

Rivers shrugged it off, told Pierce the Seahawks were bluffing.

The 44-year-old was right, just like he was right on Monday night, when San Francisco showed a look that offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter was sure indicated a blitz from the right, leaving him shocked when Rivers shuffled the protection to the left.

Rivers was right again. He’s almost always right, looking across the line at defenses like Keanu Reeves looking into the lines of the matrix.

“It’s really just that he’s probably seen it before, so it’s probably not even a matrix,” Colts running back Jonathan Taylor said. “I’ve seen this a couple years ago, and he’ll probably tell you the exact game, the drive, the actual down it was. So, he’s seen a lot of ball, so it’s not much you can throw at him at all.”

Taylor’s right. Rivers never forgets anything.

What makes him special is that he can access all of that information in a split second. When a coach talks about a quarterback going through his progressions, he’s often talking about a decision the quarterback makes after the snap.

Rivers goes through his progressions before he’s even finished calling the cadence.

That’s how a 44-year-old quarterback with diminished arm strength can complete 63% of his passes over three games, throwing four touchdowns and three interceptions to post an 80.2 quarterback rating, numbers that aren’t impressive for a 30-year-old starting quarterback but take on new meaning for a man who’s been calling plays at the high school level for five years.

“For Philip to come off the couch with a couple days of practice, go into Seattle and take them down to the wire, then come in here, and the past two weeks, I’ve thought he played well,” wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. said. “That just says a lot about him, that he can still go toe-to-toe with some of the best teams at, what is he, 40-something? Phil’s up there.”

Rivers’ genius on the field is something only a handful of quarterbacks have ever been able to replicate.

The quarterback’s love of the game, and the way he approached these three starts in December, is something that can inspire anybody.

Rivers had plenty of reasons to rebuff the Colts, namely the tidal wave of public opinion that started flowing as soon as his decision to fly to Indianapolis became public.

But few people have ever loved anything as much as Rivers loves football, and as he’s said plenty of times since answering the Colts’ call, he wasn’t about to let the negative possibilities of what might happen affect his decision to play, even after Indianapolis was eliminated from the playoffs by Houston’s win on Saturday night.

“The message amongst all of us was like, ‘Hey, we get to play in an NFL football game. We signed up for all of them. They pay you for all of them, and you go out there and play,’” Rivers said. “The thought of meaningless games — which I know that gets thrown around, and it is in the sense of it doesn’t affect the postseason, there’s no impact on the postseason — but to say a game is meaningless is not in my DNA.”

That’s what draws people to sports, why so many keep playing pickup basketball or city-league softball long after their actual playing days or over, or why they start taking golf lessons to get that handicap down into single digits.

Win or lose, Rivers loves playing.

For the sake of playing itself, even though Sunday’s loss to Jacksonville might have been the last NFL game he starts.

“If I’d go back and say, ‘All right, now you know everything that is going to happen. What are you going to do?’ I’d do it all again,” Rivers said. “It’s been absolutely awesome. I mean, if it’s the last one, it’s the last one. … If it is, I got three bonus games that I never saw coming.”

Three games in December that should only make the NFL world appreciate Rivers more.

Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.

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Indianapolis, IN

Indianapolis Colts highest and lowest PFF grades on offense in 2025

Published

33 minutes ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Indianapolis Colts highest and lowest PFF grades on offense in 2025

These Colts’ players on offense received the highest and lowest PFF grades over the 2025 NFL season.

With the Indianapolis Colts’ season now behind us, let’s take a look at which players on offense received the highest and lowest grades from Pro Football Focus.

Below is a look at PFF’s grading system for some context. While this metric is very helpful when it comes to quantifying a player’s performance, PFF’s grading system isn’t the be-all and end-all either. It is one metric out of many that are out there.

90.0+: Elite
80-89.9: High quality
70-79.9: Good
60-69.9: Above average
50-59.9: Average
40-49.9: Below average
39.9 or less: Poor

Now, here are the Colts’ five highest graded players on offense from the 2025 NFL season.

Colts’ five highest graded players for 2025 season

LG Quenton Nelson: 84.5
C Tanor Bortolini: 82.6
LT Bernhard Raimann: 82.0
WR Alec Pierce: 79.3
RB Jonathan Taylor

In both pass-blocking efficiency and run-blocking grade, Nelson was one of the highest-rated guards in all of football by PFF’s metrics. Bortolini wasn’t credited with allowing any sacks, but what really boosted his overall grade was his performance as a run-blocker.

Raimann was steady across the board, grading out very well as both a run blocker and pass blocker.

Pierce led the Colts in receiving, totaling over 1,000 yards, and he also led the NFL in yards per catch. Taylor was the NFL’s second-leading rusher this season.

Colts’ three lowest graded players in 2025

OL Dalton Tucker: 39.3
QB Phillip Rivers: 51.0
WR Anthony Gould: 52.0

Tucker’s pass-blocking grade is what brought down his overall grade. He allowed eight pressures and two sacks in just 86 pass-blocking snaps.

Remember at the beginning of this I said take these grades with a grain of salt? Rivers’ grade is an example of that. Overall, he provided the Colts’ with stability at quarterback and kept them in games. However, the late interceptions and lack of explosive plays brought his grade down.

Gould has a very small sample size to pull from, but of his two receptions, he generated just six yards of offense.

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Indianapolis, IN

Best available 2026 NFL free agents on defense for Indianapolis Colts

Published

13 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Best available 2026 NFL free agents on defense for Indianapolis Colts

According to a few different rankings, here are the best available NFL free agent defenders for the Indianapolis Colts.

As the Indianapolis Colts attempt to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2020, free agency will have to be a big part of that equation.

The Colts will have money to spend this offseason. According to Over the Cap, the Colts have $45.77 million in available cap space. Compared to the rest of the NFL, this is the ninth-most in football currently.

As GM Chris Ballard said on Thursday, salary cap-wise, the Colts are in “good shape.”

The Colts also have the ability to create more cap room if needed.

Last offseason, we saw Ballard take a much more aggressive approach in free agency. From the sounds of it, he will “continue down that path” this offseason.

There are always reasons to address just about every position group over the course of an offseason, but two specific areas Ballard mentioned on Thursday were the defensive front and getting faster on defense as a whole.

So, with a focus on the defense, specifically the front seven, here are the top available free agents this offseason at those positions.

Best available 2026 NFL free agents on defense for Indianapolis Colts

DE Trey Hendrickson
DE Jaelan Phillips
IDL John Franklin-Myers
LB Quay Walker
LB Devin Lloyd
DE Odafe Oweh
DE Boye Mafe
LB Nakobe Dean
DE Joey Bosa
IDL Travis Jones
DE Khalil Mack
LB Demario Davis
DE Kyle Van Noy
IDL Teair Tart
IDL DaQuan Jones

*This list was compiled by rankings from Sports Illustrated, The Ringer, and Bleacher Report

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Indianapolis, IN

Colts’ Chris Ballard: Daniel Jones has ‘really bright future in Indianapolis’

Published

1 day ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Colts’ Chris Ballard: Daniel Jones has ‘really bright future in Indianapolis’

INDIANAPOLIS – Confidence remains high.

Carlie Irsay-Gordon made that clear Sunday night when she announced the Indianapolis Colts would move forward under the direction of general manager Chris Ballard and coach Shane Steichen.

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard walks on the field prior to an NFL preseason football game against the Baltimore Ravens Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

And Ballard reinforced that conviction during Thursday’s postscript following an 8-9 record and fifth consecutive season without a playoff appearance.

“It wasn’t all negative,’’ he insisted. “I mean, 8-2 is real.

“That was not a mirage. It wasn’t. We were humming. We were playing good football.’’

After outlasting the Atlanta Falcons in overtime in Berlin Nov. 9, the Colts returned home 8-2.

“I mean, I would have told you when we got back from Germany . . . we had a top-four team in the league,’’ Ballard said. “I believe that. Still believe that.

“But losing seven in a row is losing seven in a row. That’s not what top-four teams do. And that’s reality. That’s the facts.’’

Here’s another undeniable fact: The Colts’ confidence moving forward is rooted in Daniel Jones.

Injured Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones on the field before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)

Simple as that.

Yes, the edge pass rush wasn’t nearly good enough and a legitimate bookend for Laiatu Latu is critical. A free-agent acquisition should be a priority.

Yes, the defense must, as Ballard stressed, get younger and faster. The 2026 front-seven won’t resemble the 2025 front-seven.

And yes, the Colts must be able to run the ball better even when situations aren’t favorable. During the seven-game losing streak, which was fueled by injuries to Jones, Jonathan Taylor averaged 63.7 yards per game and 3.3 per attempt.

But if Jones isn’t the answer, nothing much else matters.

There are two significant issues with Jones that would be major impediments to a continued relationship in any other scenario.

Jones:

Will be an unrestricted free agent in March.
Tore his right Achilles Dec. 7, underwent surgery Dec. 9 and faces an arduous rehab. He expects to be ready for the start of training camp in late July. That would represent an 8½-month rehab.

“We’ll attack the process and make sure I’m ready to go,’’ Jones said Monday.

“I’m not a doctor and I’m not God in terms of knowing what the future is going to hold in his healing,’’ Ballard said. “ . . . the history of guys coming back has been pretty good and they’ve been older than Daniel.

“He’s a pretty freaky talent in terms of athletic ability. So no, I do feel confident that he will make it back. Will he be the version you saw (last season) right away? Maybe not, but he’s still going to be really good. I think as he goes along and plays, he’ll be fine.

“I know . . . he’s going to give every ounce of his being into being the best he can be to be ready.’’

But first things first, and that means signing him to an extension.

At the risk of assuming too much, that almost assuredly will be done.

“I’d love to be back here,’’ Jones said.

The feeling is mutual.

Ballard was asked if the Colts were committed to retaining Jones “come hell or high water.’’

He smiled.

“Well, hell or high water is a strong word, but we would like . . . it’s mutual on both sides,’’ he said. “I think Daniel was a really good fit for this organization and I think this organization and city were a really good fit for Daniel.’’

A multi-year deal could mirror that of contracts secured by Sam Darnold in Seattle (three-years, $100.5 million, $55 million guaranteed) or Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay (three years, $100 million, $50 million guaranteed).

Ballard admitted Jones’ Achilles injury and rehab will impact negotiations, “but we’ll work through that with his agent. He’s got a really good agent.

“We’ll find a way to work through that.’’

If common ground can’t be reached – that probably means guaranteed money – the Colts always could use the franchise tag to retain Jones. The projected 2026 tag for quarterbacks is roughly $46 million guaranteed.

Jones turns 29 in May, which can be the midpoint of a quarterback’s career.

A reinvestment in Jones will represent short- and long-term stability at a position that’s been in flux since Andrew Luck’s sudden retirement two weeks before the 2019 season.

“I’m looking at him both: Near and long,’’ Ballard said. “And I think that helps us. I mean, I’ve been very stated about like when you’re chasing the quarterback all the time, it makes it very . . . it’s hard. Like, your margin for error really shrinks down.

“And I feel very good about Daniel Jones and where he’s at, where he’s going. Yes, he’s got the Achilles, but I think Daniel Jones has got a really bright future here in Indianapolis. And look, there is some comfort knowing that, okay, we know we’ve got a guy that’s proven, that’s done it, and done some really good things.

“So, that does give you some confidence.’’

Until Jones fractured his left fibula then tore his right Achilles, he had distanced himself from his inconsistent and error-prone six seasons with the New York Giants. You remember, right? One playoff appearance was overshadowed by a 24-44-1 record as a starter and 70 turnovers.

Through the Colts’ 8-2 start, Jones was among the NFL’s most productive and efficient quarterbacks: 3^rd in yards (2,659) and completion percentage (69.9) and 5^thin yards per attempt (8.3). He joined Peyton Manning as the only player in franchise history to pass for at least 200 yards in each of his first 10 starts.

Jones completed 68% of his passes, averaged 8.1 per attempt and finished with a 100.2 rating. All were career highs.

“I’ll give Shane and the offensive staff a lot of credit,’’ Ballard said, “playing to his strength. He is really accurate with the football, okay, and he’s very smart and decisive of where he plays with the football.’’

What about Richardson?

The team’s undeniable commitment to Jones brings into question Anthony Richardson Sr.’s future with the Colts. He’s under contract through next season – there’s no reason to believe the team will exercise his fifth-year option – and finished the season on the injured reserve.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. (5) looks up at the video board during an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)

Richardson underwent surgery to repair a fractured right orbital bone after a freak accident with a resistance band before the Oct. 12 game with Arizona.

“Unfortunately for Anthony, he’s had some really bad luck,’’ Ballard said.

The No. 4 overall pick in 2023 has missed 29 of a possible 51 games because of a variety of injuries.

Richardson lost a training camp competition with Jones and was on the field for just 14 snaps in two games. He practiced the last three weeks but still was experiencing some degree of vision issues.

“He’s got to still work through the vision he has and we’ll see what the future holds there,’’ Ballard said. “We’ll kind of see going forward how that ends up playing out.

“A lot of it’s going to deal with his health, too.’’

Acquiring a late-round pick in a trade for Richardson shouldn’t be ruled out.

He is confident he’ll experience success.

“Oh yeah, no doubt,’’ he said. “If I’ve still got a chance to play football, it is always out there for me.’’

The Colts could consider Richardson expendable after seeing Riley Leonard play reasonably well as a rookie. If there is a concern that Jones won’t be ready for the season opener in September, they could bring in a veteran with starter experience in the offseason.

“Yeah, we’ll work through that,’’ Ballard said. “That is something we will evaluate. We got to make the decision. ‘Okay, if Anthony doesn’t get to where we think he can be, can Riley be the 2?’

“I do think it’s a position that every year we’ve got to address in some way, fashion or form.’’

You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.

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