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.