Rivers Retires After 17 Seasons

Indianapolis Cotls quarterback Philip Rivers has announced his retirement from the NFL.

This one is a little bit more expected, but leaves the AFC playoff team with a big hole heading into the offseason.

After 17 seasons in the NFL, Philip Rivers has officially announced his retirement.

Rivers spent 17 seasons in the National Football League, 16 with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers and his final one with the Indianapolis Colts in 2020.

Rivers, 39, finishes his career ranked fifth all-time with 63,440 passing yards and 421 touchdown passes.

Despite his regular-season success, including a 134-106 lifetime record and just four seasons below.500, Rivers made it as far as the AFC Championship only once in his career, back in 2007.

"I can sit here and say, 'I can still throw it".

"It's just time", Rivers said, per Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune. "He's definitely always going to be a legend in my book, definitely always thank him for what he did for me".

"What has helped me come to this (decision) is the growing desire to coach high school football", he added. Rivers signed a one-year, $25 million deal last March and Indianapolis returned to the postseason.

"I am grateful to the Chargers for 16 seasons, and the Colts for the 17th season", Rivers said in his statement. "It's been growing. I can't wait". "I also enjoyed the banter". In his retirement statement, he thanked the players, coaches, staff, opposing defenses, referees, teammates and fans for being by his side to challenge him and coach him throughout his career. I think I was right most of the time, dadgummit! "I'm thankful. God put us there". Without a doubt my favorite part of the game, being a teammate.

Lastly, he thanked his "wife and best friend" Tiffany, along with their nine (yes, nine) children. Could not have done it without y'all's unwavering support.

"As my playing career comes to an end, the next chapter begin".

Rivers spent his first two years in San Diego backing up Brees before taking over as the starter when Brees left in free agency to join the New Orleans Saints.

It was the seventh playoff trip as a starting quarterback for Rivers, who never made it to a Super Bowl.