Week 18 often serves as a glimpse into the future for teams with nothing left to gain in the standings, and that’s exactly the case for the Indianapolis Colts. With playoff contention officially off the table, head coach Shane Steichen has opted to sit 44-year-old Philip Rivers and hand the reins to rookie quarterback Riley Leonard for Sunday’s finale.
Rivers’ brief, un-retired return to the NFL appears to be coming to a close. After stepping in following Daniel Jones’ season-ending Achilles injury, the longtime veteran provided stability and leadership, but with the season effectively decided, the Colts are shifting their focus toward evaluation and development. That means Leonard, a sixth-round pick, gets his first NFL start and a rare opportunity to show what he can be.
A full-circle moment for Leonard and Rivers
There’s an added layer of intrigue to this decision. Leonard and Rivers share a unique connection that goes beyond the Colts’ quarterback room. The two lived near each other in Fairhope, Alabama, where Rivers has spent recent years coaching his son’s high school football team. During Leonard’s pre-draft process ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, Rivers worked closely with him, offering mentorship and insight that few young quarterbacks ever receive.
Now, Leonard gets a chance to apply those lessons on an NFL field, potentially closing the chapter on Rivers’ playing career while opening one of his own.
What the Colts want to see from the former Notre Dame football star
Leonard already has some live NFL experience under his belt. He played the majority of the Colts’ Week 14 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars after Jones went down, finishing 18-of-29 for 145 yards with one interception. While the passing numbers were modest, Leonard showed flashes of what makes him intriguing, including a rushing touchdown late in the game for his first career NFL score.
At Notre Dame, Leonard’s legs were a defining part of his game. In his senior season, he rushed for 906 yards and 17 touchdowns, logging double-digit rushing attempts in 13 games. That mobility gives Steichen flexibility, opening up the playbook with quarterback draws, RPOs, and designed movement that can stress a defense horizontally and vertically.
It wouldn’t be surprising if the Colts lean into that skill set this week, especially against one of the league’s top defenses. The offensive structure could resemble what Indianapolis has used with Anthony Richardson in recent seasons, asking the quarterback to be both a distributor and a runner.
Beyond the athletic traits, this start is about composure. Preseason reps and practice flashes only go so far. Sunday will be Leonard’s chance to show how he handles real NFL pressure, particularly on third down and in the red zone.
The Colts will be watching closely to see how Leonard manages the game. Does he take the checkdown when it’s there? Does he protect the football, or does he force throws into tight windows? Turnovers have been an issue for Indianapolis at times this season, and avoiding back-breaking mistakes will be critical if Leonard wants to make a case for sticking around.
This isn’t just about Week 18. The Colts are already thinking ahead to the 2026 roster and whether Leonard can be a viable developmental quarterback or long-term backup. If Steichen remains in place, he’ll want evidence that Leonard can operate an NFL offense with discipline, awareness, and control.
For Leonard, this is a golden opportunity. Very few sixth-round rookies get a start under circumstances this clean, with nothing to lose and everything to gain. He’s spent the past month learning behind one of the most experienced quarterbacks in NFL history, observing how Rivers prepares during the week and commands the huddle on Sundays.
Now it’s Leonard’s turn.
Week 18 may not matter in the standings, but for the Colts’ future and Riley Leonard’s NFL trajectory, it matters a great deal. For Notre Dame football fans, it's about seeing another former Irish QB under center.