The final chapter of the Indianapolis Colts 2025 campaign will be written by a 23-year-old rookie making his first NFL start. When rookie quarterback Riley Leonard takes the field on Sunday against the Houston Texans, he will become the Colts’ eighth different season finale starter in the last eight seasons.
The list of eight starters includes Andrew Luck, Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, Sam Ehlinger, Gardner Minshew, Joe Flacco and Leonard, in that order. None of the last four players
mentioned were granted the starting nod in the season opener. For a franchise that has not been able to solve its QB carousel, the annual instability at the most important position becomes even more noticeable in the final game of the season.
Indianapolis drafted Leonard in the sixth round of April’s NFL Draft, taking a Day 3 chance on a developmental quarterback known best for his toughness and leadership reputation built at Duke before leading Notre Dame to the National Championship game almost one year ago. Leonard arrived in Indy without ceremony, without generating many headlines, and without expectations of getting immediate action behind the QB battle between Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson Sr., but the NFL has a way of accelerating timelines.
Jones earned the starting nod over Richardson in the season opener to become the eighth different Week 1 starter over the last nine seasons. What began as a sensational 7-1 start turned into a disastrous situation as both QBs suffered separate injuries — on and off the field — that effectively ended their seasons. In four games, Leonard completed 18 of 33 passes (55%) for 145 passing yards and one rushing touchdown. His first NFL rushing touchdown came after taking over for Jones, who suffered a season-ending right Achilles tear in Jacksonville.
To try and momentarily stabilize the position, the Colts reached out to ask Rivers to come out of retirement at age 44 to play in three critical games. Indianapolis lost all three games with Rivers as the starter, who has likely made his last NFL start after coming out of a near five-year retirement to command the Colts through a tough December stretch.
The jury is still out on what Leonard brings to the table, but it would have been easy to guess the rookie would get at least one start this season. With the Colts officially eliminated from playoff contention for the fifth straight campaign, head coach Shane Steichen chose to give Leonard his first NFL start in the final game of the season. Rivers has supported the decision and maintains that he has no regrets about coming back, even calling his unexpected stint “an absolute blast” and expressing gratitude for the opportunity.
Leonard shares a special connection with the 44-year-old Rivers, who lives in Fairhope Ala., which is where Leonard went to high school and where his parents still reside. When the Notre Dame product was training for the NFL combine, Leonard would train with his mentor Rivers. The pair would work on throwing routes as Rivers would help refine footwork and basic fundamentals. Leonard has publicly spoken about Rivers being a mentor and friend, praising his leadership and football intelligence. That relationship came full circle in December as the rookie learning the rhythms of the NFL stood in the room alongside the same quarterback who helped him prepare to enter the spotlight of a professional QB.
Now, the baton is being passed from an 18-year veteran to a rookie getting his opportunity. It’s a familiar finish for Indianapolis, even if the name on the back of the jersey keeps changing.
