Philip Rivers largely impressed (considering expectations) during his three-game return to the NFL. After attempting to rescue the Colts’ season late in 2025, though, he will not continue his comeback into next year. 
In the wake of Daniel Jones suffering an Achilles tear, head coach Shane Steichen reached out to Rivers about unretiring. A deal was quickly worked out, and the 44-year-old made three consecutive starts. Indianapolis lost all three games, ending the team’s chances of reaching the playoffs. Rivers will not start in the season finale, and he will not attempt to land a spot with the Colts or any other team in 2026.
“There’s no chance,” the eight-time Pro Bowler said during an appearance on the Up & Adams show when asked about continuing his career (video link). “It was a place I’d been, a team I was familiar with, the offense was exactly the same, a coach I knew, it was all those things, our football season was over, all those things made it the perfect storm… This was a fun three-week blur that nobody saw coming, including myself. And that’ll be it.”
Rivers confirmed, to little surprise, his attention will return to his high school coaching duties. His two eldest sons will be together in 2026 on the team he coaches. The Colts, meanwhile, will look to retain Jones after the success he enjoyed on a one-year deal this season. Sixth-round rookie Riley Leonard – who will start this week – figures to remain in the team’s plans moving forward. (Seth Henigan will be the Colts’ backup this week, per Fox59’s Mike Chappell, opening the door to Rivers being inactive for his final game.) The same may not be true of Anthony Richardson, who looms as a candidate for a change of scenery depending on the nature of his trade market.
Rivers was a semifinalist for this year’s Pro Football Hall of Fame class. Returning to the NFL reset his five-year eligibility clock, however. A lengthy wait will now ensue to see if he the longtime Chargers QB1 ultimately winds up in Canton.
On a few occasions prior to 2025, Rivers’ name emerged as a candidate for a post-retirement run of action. It appeared as though his window of opportunity on that front had closed before the Colts gig became available. Now, Rivers will reprise his role as a coach without giving further consideration to another short-term NFL stint.
Thanks for giving it a shot Phillip, almost brought the team into the dance. Was fun seeing you play again and as a Charger fan would have been sweet if there could have been a duel in the playoffs!
I’m sure Philip will be approached about writing a book. There’s also a good chance Hollywood will release “A River Runs Through It – A Football Story”
“A Rivers Runs Through It, but Only to Set Up Play-Action”
You can’t be mad at Rivers and his tenacity, he went out there and did some stuff most QBs today can’t. genuinely another great fold to a good football season.
Wish he got a win, but damn was it cathartic to see Rivers out there one last time
Maybe it’ll boost his HOF chances who knows lol
Just reset his HOF candidacy time clock lol.
which does in fact help him, not being on the same ballots as roth and brady.
Why do people say this like it matters? Hes got the rest of his life to see if he makes the HoF, and the HoF isnt going anywhere. Not like theres some rush to get in or else you’d miss it
He’ll be back someday
Nice try and story, but they still lost every game with him. Should have given Leonard the experience. He could actually move unlike Rivers which limited the playbook more.
I disagree. Leonard’s inexperience would’ve been a bigger limitation. Rivers knew how to run the offense, get the team into the right plays and the right protections…even if he wasn’t mobile.
Have to agree with you. Anytime you have a chance to get to the playoffs you take it
Awesome career. Cool footnote to a hall of fame plaque.
It was a great feel good story, and perhaps sold a few tickets and all… but if a rookie had put up the numbers, gotten the results and showed the flaws that Rivers did, this entire board would be filled with cries of “Bust! Bust!”
If anything, it showed just how difficult it has become to be a successful NFL quarterback.
I disagree. If a rookie had performed like Rivers, he would have received praise.
I don’t think a rookie with his current arm strength would have made the team.
Would’ve loved to see him win at least one game in his comeback, but it was fun anyway. Salute.
Rivers had to come out of retirement after 4 years w a weeks prep for the niners to finally get a win over him
Him and Brady were right they just don’t teach young QBs to be field generals anymore
I mean this dude was out of football grandpa bod came in and did better than some vets
Him and Brady should open an academy for young QBs and teach them the old ways of how to make on field decisions and adjustments
Like how many times do we see QBs these days make adjustments and audibles compared to prime Brady manning rivers roethlisberger etc
Old Man Rivers secured that NFL healthcare for another 5 years he set now.
Dude is now an absolute legend.
Appreciate your efforts, now seriously, go enjoy your retirement.
Respect to him
Humm now Phil
Pretty impressive what he did but it shows the state of the league and the quality of QB play that a 45 year old who hasn’t played a game in 5 years can come in a start games for a team that was in the playoff hunt.