Quarterback Philip Rivers has announced his intention to retire permanently from professional football after a surprising return to the Indianapolis Colts in December. Rivers, 44, played a brief stint with the team this season, but he confirmed during an appearance on FanDuel TV’s “Up & Adams” that he will not extend his playing career any further.
Rivers returned to the Colts when rookie Riley Leonard was called to start in their final game against the Houston Texans on December 31, 2023. The Colts, eliminated from playoff contention with an 8-8 record, will finish the season with Leonard at the helm.
“I am (done),” Rivers stated. “I got a son who will be a senior, and I got that St. Michael football team ready to go. We got beat in the semifinals two years in a row. So, it’ll be his senior year. My second son will be a ninth grader. They’ll be on the same team together. So, it’ll be fun to get back with the boys back home.”
During his three-game return, Rivers completed 544 passing yards, throwing four touchdowns against three interceptions. Despite hopes for a successful comeback, the team struggled, and Rivers lost all three of his starts. Reflecting on his brief re-entry into the sport, he noted, “This was a fun three-week blur that nobody saw coming, including myself, and that will be it.”
Rivers had previously spent some of his retirement coaching at the high school level. His return to the NFL came at the request of Colts’ head coach Shane Steichen, who had worked with Rivers during their time with the Los Angeles Chargers. The circumstances surrounding his return made it appealing for Rivers, who emphasized the familiarity with the team and coaching staff.
“Everything just lined up,” Rivers explained. “It was a place I’d been, a team I was familiar with, the offense was exactly the same. The coach I knew. It was all those things that made it kinda the perfect storm.”
Looking ahead, Rivers is eager to focus on coaching and supporting his children in their football pursuits. He expressed optimism that his recent experience in the NFL will enhance the respect his players have for him as a coach. “Maybe the things I say to them, they’ll take it a little more seriously now that I was just out there playing,” he added.
As the Colts prepare for their season finale, Rivers has confirmed he will step away from professional play for good, embracing his role on the sidelines once more.
