Enter Philip Rivers, the 44-year-old retired former NFL quarterback. He’s not just going through the motions — he’s still gauging whether to make a real-life NFL comeback with the Indianapolis Colts. Rivers did retire in January 2021, after the Colts’ one-and-only season with him. Now, after a two-year hiatus during which he coached high school football in Alabama, he is returning to the national stage.
Rivers finished his incredible 17-year NFL career in 2021. He left behind a powerful legacy as one of the league’s most prolific passers. Since retiring from the game, he found fulfillment as a grandfather—he has nine grandchildren and one adopted son—and remains a strong mentor to many young athletes. His close relationship with Colts head coach Shane Steichen played a pivotal role in his choice to come back. When Rivers first joined the San Diego Chargers, the then San Diego Chargers quarterbacks—and often offensive—coach was Shane Steichen.
“Certainly, I wasn’t really hanging on to any hope of playing again. I kind of thought that ship had sailed, but something about it excited me,” – Philip Rivers
His family and friends are behind Rivers’ decision 100 percent. His wife, Tiffany Rivers, has been his consistent star player—his biggest supporter, motivator, and encourager—at home and beyond. She confesses that she’s been a little intimidated by her new sport’s physicality.
“It’s kind of one of those deals [where] the door opens, and you can either walk through it and find out if you can do it, or run from it,” – Philip Rivers
Rivers speaks with confidence when discussing his return, notwithstanding the speculation about his recovery. At a press conference on Wednesday he revealed the basis for this increasing optimism. With every minute that goes by, he’s more convinced that he can one day compete at the professional level again.
“So it’s been … a whirlwind of a 48 hours, I’ll say, but each moment that goes by, I feel more and more confident. I really do,” – Philip Rivers
The plan, per Steichen, is for the coaching staff to monitor Rivers’ progress through the week. Following their evaluation, they’ll determine who will be going under center for Sunday’s matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. The Colts have a lot of options to weigh as they get ready for one of the NFL’s most high-profile matchups.
Reflecting on the mood of his family as they prepared for his comeback, Rivers says, “It was a pretty cool time. He recalls conversations with his children, noting that they share in the nervous anticipation of seeing their father play again.
“But I think they share the same sentiment — a little nervous, like, ‘Dad, you think you can do it?’ You know, and then my older girls are real excited … they’re grown adults [now], married, and they remember, 16 years old, going to the ball game,” – Philip Rivers
