JJ Watt Spills The Beans On Shocking New Details About Philip Rivers Signing With The Indianapolis Colts

This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.

Philip Rivers is back. And new details from JJ Watt reveal why it may just be the perfect match.

Shane Steichen is in his third year as the head coach in Indianapolis and is trying to save the 2025 season. The Colts got off to an explosive start to the season. They had record-breaking statistics through the first eight games.

The wheels have fallen off as of later, however. The Colts are 1-4 over their past five games, and Daniel Jones has a torn Achilles.

Now, with Jones out for the season, Indianapolis had to make a decision. They called on 44-year-old future Hall of Famer Philip Rivers to save the season.

Following a workout on Monday, the team made a final decision on Tuesday.

For the second time in franchise history, the Colts are turning to Philip Rivers for stability at quarterback. The Colts are signing the 44-year-old quarterback to their practice squad.

NEWS: The Colts and Philip Rivers have agreed to a contract after he worked out Monday night, per source. The 44-year-old is back on the Indy practice squad, five seasons after his last NFL action. pic.twitter.com/gEP2LSXzdD

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) December 9, 2025

Some may question the decision to bring in a 44-year-old quarterback who hasn’t played since 2020. According to JJ Watt, there’s a method behind the madness that goes far beyond what we knew.

Philip Rivers Has Been Talking To Shane Steichen All Season

The Colts reportedly looked at several quarterback options. In the end, Philip Rivers made the most sense.

A large part of that had to do with his familiarity with Steichen’s system. The two spent time together with the Chargers, when Steichen was a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator for the 8-time Pro Bowler. But that’s not all.

After the signing became official, Watt revealed that Rivers and Steichen have been speaking with each other all season long. But it’s not what you think.

The two haven’t been scheming the future Hall of Famer’s comeback. Rather, Rivers has been coaching his son Gunnar’s high school team, and he’s been running Steichen’s offensive system.

Rivers, who is now a grandfather, joins a QB room with not much experience. It is a room headlined by Riley Leonard and Brett Rypien. Leonard is considered to be the new QB1 with Anthony Richardson still on injured reserve.

Unfortunately, Leonard is dealing with a knee injury. His status for the game against the Seattle Seahawks is unknown.

It will have been 1,800 days, or almost five years, since Philip Rivers last took a snap in an NFL game, according to CBS Sports Research.