Philip Rivers is 44 years old. He was also coaching a high school football team most recently, had become a grandfather, and was seemingly enjoying retirement with his wife, Tiffany, and their 10 kids.
Thus, a return to the NFL – as a quarterback no less – didn’t seem like a very plausible scenario. Until now, and that’s causing fans to post jokes and memes about Rivers’ age. Although it’s not a sure thing that Rivers will take the field as QB, it’s not off the table. The Colts are “planning to bring in retired, eight-time Pro Bowl quarterback” Rivers for a workout on Tuesday, December 9, according to the NFL Network, which noted that he is being considered as a “possible addition to the team’s practice squad.”
The decision came after Daniel Jones tore his Achilles, ending his season, the NFL Network reported. The week 15 QB was supposed to be Riley Leonard, but the Colts’ coach revealed that he, too, has an injury. And that’s where Rivers comes in, even though he last played for the Colts in 2020.
Philip Rivers Has Been Coaching High School Football in Alabama
Philip Rivers playing football in 2025 pic.twitter.com/biCho4MfBK
— BetRivers Sportsbook (@BetRivers) December 9, 2025
Where has Rivers been spending his time? Alabama. “Rivers has since spent his time with his family and coaching high school football at St. Michael Catholic in Fairhope, Alabama,” wrote NFL.com.
“When it comes to veteran quarterbacks making unexpected returns from retirement, Rivers would represent a truly shocking development. The NFL world hasn’t heard from him since he decided to call it a career after the 2020 season,” NFL.com wrote.
Philip Rivers is about to be the first grandpa to play an NFL game pic.twitter.com/QC6LWeIoSD
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) December 9, 2025
According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport: “The #Colts are planning to bring potential Hall of Fame QB Philip Rivers into their facility Tuesday to work out to see if he may join their practice squad, per me & @MikeGarafolo. This is real. Daniel Jones’ season is over, Riley Leonard will start, but Rivers may be an option.”
A fan retorted, “There is no way I just read this post in 2025.”
Is Philip Rivers a Grandfather?
LMAO life alert Rivers pic.twitter.com/hielW2Bc4a
— Summa Cum Ligma Calls (Ligma Arc) (@SummaCLC) December 9, 2025
Yes, Philip Rivers is a grandfather, according to Fox News. In fact, he has 10 kids with his wife Tiffany, according to People. Their eldest child is named Halle.
“While the Colts need to work out Philip Rivers to see what type of shape he is in, the former quarterback who is now a grandfather also needs to figure out whether he’s willing to play, per source. For now he’s clearly intrigued enough to fly to Indianapolis,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on X. Rivers played for the Los Angeles Charges as well as the Colts.
Schefter noted that Leonard is “week to week with a strained knee ligament.”
— BeardedBlevins (@BeardedBlevins) December 9, 2025
The memes and jokes flew. One fan posted a joke showing Rivers with a walker on the field.
“Not one of his kids is good enough to do this instead?” joked another fan, with others incorrectly suggesting the return was AI or an April Fool’s joke. “Bring back Peyton Manning while you’re at it,” wrote another fan.
Fun fact: Philip Rivers’ oldest kid is older than Tyler Warren pic.twitter.com/SbgHUwrS6z
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) December 9, 2025
“I’m crying real tears man theres actually no way im gonna watch a washed qb play for my franchise for the 5th year in a row,” a fan wrote.
