Leonard’s Moment: Colts Turn the Page
January 2, 2026
Indianapolis announced this week that they would be benching Philip Rivers and giving their rookie 6th round pick Riley Leonard the start. Leonard has been mostly watching and learning this season. First, behind Daniel Jones, and more recently behind his mentor Philip Rivers. Rivers and Leonard reportedly worked out together the last couple of years during the offseason and the two built a relationship prior to Rivers coming to Indy.
Leonard started his collegiate career at Duke where he led the program to a 9-4 season and their first bowl win since 2018. He would then transfer to Notre Dame where he would lead the Irish to a National Championship appearance and set the school record for single season rushing touchdowns by a quarterback with 17. Leonard has done it all on the field, but by all accounts, he’s just as fantastic off of it. Often praised for his exceptional leadership, not just by saying the right things, but by being the living example for others.
With the recent losing streak that the Colts have found themselves in, the organization has opted to sit Rivers and see what they have in their pick from last Spring. When asked what went through his mind after coach Steichen had informed him he’d be starting, Leonard responded with, “Just gratitude, really. It’s a long season. A lot of waiting for the right time and you never know when that time is, but it’s good to know on a Wednesday that I’ll be the guy, be able to prepare no differently but there’s certainly a little more urgency and just more trust with guys in the locker room with the guys about the gameplan.
The message received by Riley Leonard from Philip Rivers was to remember why you play the game. The Colts season may not have gone as everyone thought it would, but the message that both of these quarterbacks have repeated was how much this game means, and to soak in every moment.
Keith, Author
Keith runs youth flag football leagues by day, and by night he hosts the podcast and writes articles with the confidence of a man who’s been rushing quarterbacks since dial-up. A longtime flag football DE and lifelong Falcons fan, he’s no stranger to heartbreak and enjoys watching the bears get slaughtered each week. Equal parts coach, critic, and chaos, Keith calls it like he sees it… even if it hurts.
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