Broncos practice squad quarterback reveals he turned down chance to return to Colts
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Denver Broncos quarterback Sam Ehlinger turned down the opportunity to return to the Indianapolis Colts as the team sought solutions to replace Daniel Jones after he suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury.
Ehlinger, who spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Colts before joining the Broncos’ practice squad, said Denver Post who spent time weighing the decision after his agent had extensive conversations with the team.
Sam Ehlinger of the Denver Broncos runs against the Saints at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on August 23, 2025. (Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images)
“We are very happy here and we enjoy the organization, the path we are taking and what we are building. I want to be a part of that,” Ehlinger told the outlet.
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“I was in Indianapolis for four years and I love everyone there. Obviously, it’s a tough situation.”
Ehlinger, 27, was selected by the Colts in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He made eight appearances with Indianapolis before signing with the Broncos before the start of the season.
Instead, the Colts signed 44-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers to the practice squad. Ehlinger told The Denver Post that the team planned to bring him in alongside Rivers.
Sam Ehlinger of the Broncos looks to pass against the Dallas Cowboys at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver on October 26, 2025. (Kevin Langley/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PHILIP RIVERS ACCEPTS NFL RETURN AS QB AFTER RETURN TO COLTS: ‘I THOUGHT THAT SHIP HAD SAILED’
Speaking to reporters this week, Rivers was hopeful he could start against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. He last played in 2020, but coming out of retirement has presented an exciting opportunity for the NFL veteran.
“Something about this excited me and it’s kind of one of those deals, the door opens and you go through it and you find out if you can do it or you run away from it,” he said. “I know there’s a risk, what may or may not happen, but the only way to find out is to do it.”
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers on the sidelines during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 6, 2020. (Troy Taormina/USA Today Sports)
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The Seahawks host the Colts on Sunday at 4:25 pm ET.
The News contributed to this report.
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