Broncos' practice squad quarterback reveals he declined opportunity to return to Colts

Denver Broncos backmost Sam Ehlinger turned down an accidental to instrumentality to the Indianapolis Colts arsenic the squad searched for solutions to regenerate Daniel Jones aft helium suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. 

Ehlinger, who spent the archetypal 4 years of his NFL vocation with the Colts earlier joining the Broncos signifier squad, told The Denver Post that helium spent clip weighing the determination aft his cause had extended talks with the team. 

Sam Ehlinger of the Denver Broncos runs against the Saints astatine the Caesars Superdome successful New Orleans connected Aug. 23, 2025. (Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images)

"We’re truly blessed present and bask the organization, the way we’re connected and what we’re building. I privation to beryllium portion of that," Ehlinger told the outlet. 

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"I was successful Indianapolis for 4 years and I emotion everybody implicit there. It’s conscionable a hard situation, obviously."

Ehlinger, 27, was drafted by the Colts successful the sixth circular of the 2021 NFL Draft. He made 8 appearances for Indianapolis earlier signing with the Broncos earlier the commencement of the season. 

The Colts alternatively signed 44-year-old backmost Philip Rivers to the signifier squad. Ehlinger indicated to The Denver Post that the squad was readying to bring him connected alongside Rivers. 

Sam Ehlinger of the Broncos looks to walk against the Dallas Cowboys astatine Empower Field astatine Mile High successful Denver connected Oct. 26, 2025. (Kevin Langley/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

PHILIP RIVERS EMBRACES NFL COMEBACK AT QUARTERBACK AFTER RETURN TO COLTS: ‘I THOUGHT THAT SHIP HAD SAILED’

Speaking to reporters this week, Rivers was hopeful helium would commencement against the Seattle Seahawks connected Sunday. He past played successful 2020, but coming retired of status has presented an breathtaking accidental for the NFL veteran.

"Something astir it excited maine and it's benignant of 1 of those deals, the doorway opens and you either locomotion done it and find retired if you tin bash it oregon you tally from it," helium said. "I cognize there's hazard involved, what whitethorn oregon whitethorn not happen, but the lone mode to find retired is going for it."

Indianapolis Colts backmost Philip Rivers connected the sideline during the crippled against the Houston Texans astatine NRG Stadium connected Dec. 6, 2020. (Troy Taormina/USA Today Sports)

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The Seahawks big the Colts connected Sunday astatine 4:25 p.m. ET.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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