Philip Rivers Reportedly Eyed by TV Networks After NFL Comeback With Colts

Philip Rivers is apparently one of the hottest targets on the free-agent market... for television broadcasters, that is.

According to Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports, "The 44-year-old former QB is emerging as the next hot NFL TV free agent, sources tell Front Office Sports. The Alabama-born Rivers' folksy personality has been compared to the late, great 'Dandy' Don Meredith. He checks all the boxes that networks and streamers look for in their NFL game and studio analysts."

Rivers, a future Hall of Famer, initially retired after the 2020 season as an eight-time Pro Bowler. But he made a stunning return to the NFL in the 2025 season for the quarterback-needy Indianapolis Colts, going 0-3 in his starts while throwing for 544 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions.

Former quarterbacks are always a hot commodity for networks—look no further than Fox signing Tom Brady to a 10-year, $375 million deal and immediately thrusting him into its top broadcasting team with Kevin Burkhardt. Tony Romo is also on the top broadcasting team on CBS alongside Jim Nance and Troy Aikman leads ESPN's Monday Night Football broadcasts with Joe Buck.

As for Rivers, he's kept a career in the media in mind.

"I've not ruled it out. But just every opportunity that's been close to coming, or has come up, it just hasn't felt right," he said on the Up and Adams show in January (21:08 mark). "So I haven't completely ruled it out. I do think I would enjoy it."

In that same interview, however, Rivers seemed to indicate that he might prefer coaching as a way to stay close to the game. Before returning to the NFL, he was serving as the head coach at St. Michael Catholic High School following his playing career.

So whether he gets into the broadcasting game, either as a color commentator or studio analyst, remains to be seen. But the demand for his services is undeniably there.