Colts Turn to Philip Rivers After Sam Ehlinger Declines Reunion
The Indianapolis Colts have made headlines by persuading 44-year-old Philip Rivers to come out of retirement, likely positioning him as the starting quarterback for Week 15. This bold decision comes amidst a desperate need to keep their playoff hopes alive in the competitive AFC landscape. However, what many may not know is that the Colts initially sought to bring back former draft pick Sam Ehlinger, who opted to remain with the Denver Broncos instead.
Ehlinger’s Decision to Stay in Denver
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Colts expressed interest in signing Ehlinger off the Broncos’ practice squad after Daniel Jones suffered an Achilles injury. Despite the allure of returning to Indianapolis, Ehlinger chose to stay put in Denver, prioritizing his development under head coach Sean Payton and quarterbacks coach Davis Webb. Schultz shared on his X account, “Sources: The #Colts had interest in signing QB Sam Ehlinger off the #Broncos practice squad after Daniel Jones’ Achilles injury, as @ParkerJGabriel also reported. Ehlinger, who’s had multiple opportunities to leave this year, decided he wanted to stay in Denver and continue his development.”
Ehlinger’s Background and Career Path
Ehlinger, drafted in the sixth round of 2021, spent his first four NFL seasons with the Colts, where he completed 64 of 101 passes for 573 yards, alongside three touchdowns and three interceptions across eight games. He started three games during the 2022 season but faced difficulties, losing all three. This offseason, he signed a one-year contract with the Broncos, stepping into a backup role behind quarterbacks Bo Nix and Jarrett Stidham.
The Texas product faced a rocky path, being released during final roster cuts and subsequently re-signed to the practice squad, from which he has oscillated since September. Broncos general manager George Paton spoke highly of Ehlinger’s performance during the preseason, stating, “He didn’t play a whole lot [in Indianapolis], but you watch the preseason. Then when you got him here, he was better than I anticipated. Always been a good athlete, I thought he was always efficient. I didn’t realize he had the arm strength. I think he has developed that arm strength over the last couple of years. He played really well. We’re glad he’s here. We know teams are after him, and we plan on keeping him here.”
The Colts’ Quarterback Quandary
With Rivers stepping back into the spotlight, the Colts are hoping to stabilize their quarterback situation. The franchise’s aggressive move underscores the urgency of their playoff aspirations and the challenges they face in a highly competitive division. As the league continues to evolve, the decisions made by teams like the Colts reflect both the unpredictability of player dynamics and the relentless pursuit of success on the field.
