Riley Leonard's first career NFL start gave those back home on the Eastern Shore plenty to keep cheering about, even with Philip Rivers not playing and the final result not going Indianapolis' way.

The Fairhope High School alum was announced as the starting quarterback for the Colts in the days leading up to their Week 18 against the Houston Texans, and he delivered a productive performance in a 38-30 loss. Leonard completed 21 of 34 passes for 270 yards, throwing two touchdowns and one interception, while adding three rushes for 21 yards and a rushing touchdown.

After the game, Leonard commented on the experience as well as taking accountability for the loss.

"What an opportunity," Leonard said. "Something you dream of your entire life. Every snap that I was out there, I had goosebumps just thinking, 'I made it.' But that all gets wiped away when you make mistakes."

Leonard wasted little time adding to his football milestones, giving the Colts an early lead with his first career NFL touchdown pass — a 66-yard dart to Alex Pierce. He connected with Pierce often, finding him again before halftime for a second touchdown. The former Pirate even took the time to give the game ball to his family who traveled from Fairhope to watch.

"It meant everything," Leonard said of his family attending the game. "They come to a lot of games actually. All that money and traveling that they spend finally paid off. It's really cool. I was able to look up there and they were just a few rows deep."

In the third quarter, Leonard put Indianapolis back in front with a miraculous goal-line touchdown run, evading tackles on the way to the endzone. The fourth quarter turned into a back-and-forth affair, with Leonard leading multiple field-goal drives to regain the lead, but Houston answered each time and ultimately pulled away late.

Despite the loss, the 23-year-old's first career start was an encouraging way to open 2026, building on the career-defining year he had in 2025. The Colts' quarterback situation remains unsettled entering the offseason, with Daniel Jones recovering from injury and seeking a contract extension, Anthony Richardson's future in Indianapolis uncertain and Rivers expected to return to St. Michael Catholic as head coach. After a performance like that in his debut, Leonard could have positioned himself firmly in the mix for the Colts' 2026 quarterback competition.

His head coach, Shane Steichen, said Leonard "looks like he can play a long time in this league" after the starting debut from the rookie.