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INDIANAPOLIS — Colts head coach Shane Steichen defended the team’s decision to start Philip Rivers over Riley Leonard for three games.
Leonard played well in the season finale, completing 21 of 34 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns, added 21 rushing yards and a touchdown as Indianapolis put up 30 points against a highly regarded Texans defense.
Rivers completed 63% of his passes for 544 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions in his three starts, keeping the Colts in games but struggling to push the ball down the field.
Leonard’s knee injury played a role. Although the rookie’s knee injury ended up being less significant than the Colts initially thought — Leonard did not miss a practice — there was a time at the beginning of the week that Indianapolis believed its top three quarterbacks were unavailable.
“Part of the reason we brought Philip in is because Riley had a knee at that moment,” Steichen said. “It was, ‘Hey, we need to do something.’ We brought Philip in; obviously, we didn’t bring Philip in to sit on the bench. That experience of Philip being here was great for everybody involved. The team, the offense, having his veteran leadership was huge.”
Leonard did turn the ball over twice against Houston, fumbling in the pocket in the first half and throwing an interception, both times deep in his own territory. Leonard was kicking himself for those mistakes after the game.
But his performance against Houston did emphasize that Leonard belongs in the NFL, and it likely gives Leonard a shot at opening the 2025 season as the team’s No. 2 quarterback if the Colts decide to move Anthony Richardson.
“I think it was a great learning experience for Riley to be around Philip, and then obviously, what Riley did yesterday was invaluable experience, too, to grow and learn, but it was very encouraging the way he played yesterday,” Steichen said.
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Shane Steichen on choosing Philip Rivers over Riley Leonard as Colts QB
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Leonard played well in the season finale, completing 21 of 34 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns, added 21 rushing yards and a touchdown as Indianapolis put up 30 points against a highly regarded Texans defense.
Rivers completed 63% of his passes for 544 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions in his three starts, keeping the Colts in games but struggling to push the ball down the field.
Leonard’s knee injury played a role. Although the rookie’s knee injury ended up being less significant than the Colts initially thought — Leonard did not miss a practice — there was a time at the beginning of the week that Indianapolis believed its top three quarterbacks were unavailable.
“Part of the reason we brought Philip in is because Riley had a knee at that moment,” Steichen said. “It was, ‘Hey, we need to do something.’ We brought Philip in; obviously, we didn’t bring Philip in to sit on the bench. That experience of Philip being here was great for everybody involved. The team, the offense, having his veteran leadership was huge.”
Leonard did turn the ball over twice against Houston, fumbling in the pocket in the first half and throwing an interception, both times deep in his own territory. Leonard was kicking himself for those mistakes after the game.
But his performance against Houston did emphasize that Leonard belongs in the NFL, and it likely gives Leonard a shot at opening the 2025 season as the team’s No. 2 quarterback if the Colts decide to move Anthony Richardson.
“I think it was a great learning experience for Riley to be around Philip, and then obviously, what Riley did yesterday was invaluable experience, too, to grow and learn, but it was very encouraging the way he played yesterday,” Steichen said.
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Shane Steichen on choosing Philip Rivers over Riley Leonard as Colts QB
Continue reading...
