Fri Jan 23 16:30:00 UTC 2026: Headline: Rivers Snubbed for Comeback Player of the Year Despite Mid-Season Return
The Story:
Veteran quarterback Phillip Rivers, age 44, was not named a finalist for the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award, despite returning to the Indianapolis Colts midway through the 2025 season. Rivers came out of retirement after both starting quarterback Daniel Jones and backup Anthony Richardson suffered season-ending injuries. While Rivers posted a 0-3 record, fans lauded his return after a five-year absence. The Associated Press clarified that the award prioritizes players overcoming injury or illness, influencing the final nominations.
Key Points:
* Phillip Rivers, at age 44, returned to the Indianapolis Colts after a five-year retirement due to quarterback injuries.
* Rivers finished with a 0-3 record as a starter.
* The Colts ended the season with an 8-9 record after a strong 8-1 start.
* The AP clarified that the Comeback Player of the Year Award emphasizes overcoming injury or illness.
* Finalists for the award include Dak Prescott, Trevor Lawrence, Aidan Hutchinson, Stefon Diggs, and Christian McCaffrey, all of whom overcame significant injuries.
Key Takeaways:
- The Comeback Player of the Year Award’s criteria heavily favor players returning from injury, placing Rivers, who returned from retirement, at a disadvantage.
- Fan sentiment doesn’t always align with the official criteria for NFL awards.
- Mid-season quarterback injuries can drastically alter a team’s trajectory, as evidenced by the Colts’ decline after Jones’ injury.
First Piper 