Sam Ehlinger had a chance to start for a possible playoff team this week; instead, he’ll stay as the third stringer for the Denver Broncos.
Ehlinger told The Denver Post about the opportunity he had to return to Indianapolis after the Colts lost Daniel Jones to a torn Achilles on Sunday.
The Colts made national news by eventually bringing back 44-year-old Philip Rivers. But Ehlinger had talks about returning to Indy, where he was drafted and spent several seasons.
“I think a lot,” Ehlinger told The Denver Post when asked what went into the decision to stay in Denver. “We’re really happy here and enjoy the organization, the path we’re on, and what we’re building. I want to be part of that… I was in Indianapolis for four year,s and I love everybody over there. It’s just a difficult situation, obviously.”
The Colts may still have brought back Rivers to compete with Ehlinger. Instead, the Colts have another Broncos tie as former Denver starter Brett Rypien may be under center this week.
Ehlinger has had chances to leave Denver before, too, turning down 53-man roster spots right at the cutdown date in August. The 27-year-old has been back and forth from the practice squad to the active roster. The Broncos have liked him for some time, and Ehlinger was solid in training camp. Obviously, he’s stuck behind Bo Nix, but also the more seasoned Jarrett Stidham, too.
So now it’s Rivers, five years after playing last, in Indy with their season teetering. If he somehow succeeds, we may see Rivers and the Colts against his old AFC West foes in Denver next month — and Ehlinger will be watching from the sidelines.
Sources: The #Colts had interest in signing QB Sam Ehlinger off the #Broncos practice squad after Daniel Jones’ Achilles injury, as @ParkerJGabriel also reported.
Ehlinger, who’s had multiple opportunities to leave this year, decided he wanted to stay in Denver and continue his… pic.twitter.com/8EgIBs0OwP
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) December 11, 2025
