Philip Rivers Says He'll Return to Retirement After NFL Comeback With Colts

Philip Rivers' captivating comeback tour, which saw the eight-time Pro Bowler and 44-year-old grandfather end his five-year retirement to start three games for the Indianapolis Colts, is ending.

Rivers confirmed in an appearance with Kay Adams on Up & Adams that he will retire again after the 2025 season ends.

The Colts announced that rookie Riley Leonard will start the team's regular season finale against the Houston Texans on Sunday. Seth Henigan is in line to be the backup.

Rivers first played in the NFL from 2004-2020 for the San Diego and Los Angeles Chargers (2014-2019) and Colts (2020). He sat behind Drew Brees in 2004 and 2005 before taking the starter reins in 2006.

During his first NFL stint, Rivers totaled 63,440 passing yards and 421 passing touchdowns while leading his teams to 134 wins and seven playoff appearances as a starter. He led the NFL in completion percentage (2013, 69.5 percent), passing yards once (2010, 4,710 yards) and passing touchdowns (2008, 34) once apiece.

Rivers also paced the NFL in yards per pass attempt each season from 2008-2010. During that stretch, Rivers finished sixth in NFL MVP voting (2008) and third (2009).

Rivers also won Comeback Player of the Year honors in 2013 (4.478 yards, 69.5 percent completion rate, 34 TD, 11 INT, 105.5 QB rating) after a much-improved season over his 2012 campaign (3,606 yards, 26 TD, 15 INT, 88.6 QB rating).

He also stands as one of the toughest and most durable quarterbacks to ever play. Rivers started all 252 games possible (regular season plus playoffs) from 2006-2020. That includes the 2007 AFC Championship Game (a 21-12 loss to the New England Patriots), when he played through a torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee.

Rivers retired after one season with the Colts in 2020. He's since served as the head coach for St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama. Rivers' teams have enjoyed great success, going 25-3 over the past two seasons, with their only losses coming against Jackson, the state champion.

Then the Colts came calling after Daniel Jones suffered a torn Achilles in November 2025. Indianapolis was also without quarterback Anthony Richardson, who suffered a fractured orbital bone during his team's pregame warmups prior to a 31-27 win over the Arizona Cardinals last October.

Indianapolis also has rookie and sixth-round pick Riley Leonard, the former Duke and Notre Dame star, on the roster. However, the Colts decided to call up an old friend to guide them down the stretch.

Rivers fared quite well for a 44-year-old who hadn't taken an NFL snap in five years. In three games, he completed 63.0 percent of his passes for four touchdowns (three interceptions) and 544 yards.

The Colts, however, didn't make the playoffs despite an 8-2 start. They went 0-3 under Rivers, in part because of a tough schedule against three fantastic playoff teams in the 13-3 Seattle Seahawks, 12-4 San Francisco 49ers and 12-4 Jacksonville Jaguars. However, Rivers' performance was impressive nonetheless, especially given his age and the fact that he didn't play in the NFL for five years.

Rivers' stint with the Colts ultimately ended before Week 18. With Indianapolis eliminated from playoff contention, the Colts decided to roll with Leonard to give the rookie some game action.

Now Rivers is headed back to retirement, capping a tremendous career that should land him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame down the road.