Quarterback Philip Rivers has confirmed his intention to retire permanently from professional football after a brief return to the Indianapolis Colts late in the 2023 season. Rivers, 44, had initially stepped away from the game to coach at the high school level but was called back to the NFL when the Colts faced a quarterback crisis.
In a recent interview on FanDuel TV’s “Up & Adams,” Rivers stated, “I am (done).” He emphasized his commitment to family and coaching, particularly as his son prepares for his senior year in high school football. Rivers reflected on his coaching responsibilities, noting, “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.”
Return to the Colts
Rivers’ unexpected return to the Colts occurred in December 2023, after injuries sidelined starting quarterback Daniel Jones and rookie Riley Leonard faced a knee injury. Rivers had last played for the Colts during the 2020 season and had a prior working relationship with Colts head coach Shane Steichen, who had been his offensive coordinator at the Los Angeles Chargers.
Rivers stated that the circumstances made it an “easy decision” to come back, citing familiarity with the team and the offensive system. He noted, “Everything just lined up. It was a place I’d been, a team I was familiar with, the offense was exactly the same. The coach I knew.”
Despite the excitement surrounding his return, Rivers struggled on the field, losing all three of his starts. During that span, he passed for 544 yards, threw four touchdowns, and recorded three interceptions. The Colts finished the season with an 8-8 record and are set to start Leonard in their season finale against the Houston Texans on January 7, 2024.
Looking Ahead
Rivers expressed no desire to continue playing professionally, indicating that his brief return only reinforced his decision to step away from the game. “I’m back to the sideline,” he remarked. “This was a fun three-week blur that nobody saw coming, including myself, and that will be it.”
With his retirement plans in place, Rivers looks forward to focusing on his family and coaching duties. His commitment to his sons and their shared experience in football highlights a new chapter in his life, as he steps away from the spotlight of the NFL and embraces his role as a mentor and coach at St. Michael High School.