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stephen holder
INDIANAPOLIS — philip rivers When he was running his own business in Alabama indianapolis colts Coach Shane Steichen called him with a grand offer to come out of retirement and quarterback his former team as an emergency replacement.
Four weeks later, when Rivers reflects on his 0-3 record since rejoining the Colts five years after retirement, and Indianapolis falling out of the playoff race, the 44-year-old says he would do it all again.
“I told you guys I would have no regrets about coming back and I have no regrets,” Rivers said after the Colts. 23-17 damage to jacksonville jaguars“Other than us not winning,,, it’s been an absolute blast for three weeks, If I go back and say, ‘Okay, now you know everything is going to happen, what are you going to do?’ I would do it all again, It was absolutely amazing, So, yeah, I mean, if it’s the last, it’s the last,”
With the Colts out of playoff contention houston texans‘Win on Saturday, the Colts’ game against Jacksonville could be the last game Rivers starts.
Colts considering starting rookie riley leonard in their season finale next weekend in Houston. The Colts stuck to their plan of starting Rivers on Sunday even after Houston’s win because Rivers had taken the overwhelming majority of starting quarterback reps during the week and was best prepared to play.
“I will join and support any organization, [Steichen] And whatever it is, that decision is going to come,” Rivers said. “I’m sure I’ll have some conversations. This won’t be just a random Tuesday conversation on their part.”
in three starts against Seattle Seahawks, san francisco 49ers And the Jaguars, Rivers completed 63% of his pass attempts (58 of 92), throwing for 544 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions. It wasn’t his best work as a professional, but it was better than expected for the team’s third quarterback in a losing season. Daniel Jones And Anthony Richardson Sr.For injuries,
But Rivers didn’t give himself a pass after Sunday’s game.
“I thought it was probably the worst game I’ve ever had out of those three,” he said. Rivers completed 17 of 30 attempts for 147 yards against Jacksonville. “Couldn’t really get any coordination or rhythm going.”
Rivers threw a costly interception on a poorly thrown third-down pass in the fourth quarter with the score tied at 17. That turnover, in Indianapolis territory, set up the go-ahead field goal for Jacksonville four plays later.
As far as the future goes, Rivers was adamant that he does not anticipate a scenario in which he has to come out of retirement for a second time. He never thought it possible to do so again after retiring after the 2020 season, when the Colts’ campaign ended with a playoff loss buffalo bill In January 2021.
He said, “I felt like the last person walking off the field or walking down that tunnel in Buffalo.” “And I was okay with that. And he had tears in his eyes for a few days after that. And that was the last tear so I was at peace. So, sure if it’s [the last game]I got three bonus games that I never saw coming and I couldn’t be more grateful that I got the chance.”
Rivers’ postseason plan is simple: return home to Fairhope, Alabama, and reclaim his position as head coach at St. Michael’s Catholic. Several players on the team traveled to Indianapolis on Sunday and watched the game from a room at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The whole experiment of returning rivers did not end the way he wanted. The goal was to give the Colts a chance to advance to the postseason despite their injuries. But through it all, Rivers maintained perspective and his self-deprecating sense of humor.
“I will come to the shore immediately [coaching],” he said. “I’m sure many people watching have probably said that you probably belong here.”
