INDIANAPOLIS – When Philip Rivers ran up the tunnel in Buffalo 11 days ago, he thought it could be his final time doing so in an NFL game.
That feeling from Rivers has now turned into the quarterback retiring from the NFL after playing 17 seasons. San Diego reporter Kevin Acee first reported the news early on Wednesday morning.
Rivers’ tenure with the Colts will last just one season, with Chris Ballard and company not needing to make a decision on whether or not to re-sign the 39-year-old.
All along, even deep into the season, Rivers gave many indications that he wanted to play in 2021. He still had the “passion for the process” of getting ready week-in-and-week-out, and thoroughly enjoyed his time with the Colts. Rivers didn’t feel like he was “hanging on” either, which was important to him and his decision to keep playing.
Sure, when the Colts faced a must-win game in their regular season, the thought of this possibly being his final game ever crept into Rivers’ mind.
His first true public waffling at being committed to 2021 came following the playoff loss to Buffalo.
“You’re always disappointed, it’s always emotional, but yes, is it more emotional when it’s your 17th year and you’re about to be 40 and you’re not sure if you’ve walked up your last tunnel? Yeah, heck yeah, it’s more,” Rivers said after the 27-24 Wild Card loss.
It was easily the most choked up Rivers, who will turn 40 years old in December, had been in a presser all year.
When the Colts returned to Indy that night, Rivers and Frank Reich had what the head coach described as a “lengthy, and pretty emotional” chat.
Four days later, Chris Ballard spoke with Rivers and was told by the quarterback that he still didn’t know whether he was all-in on playing another year.
Still, it is surprising to see Rivers actually retire, knowing the competitive itch he carries and the success he had in Indy this past season. Some wondered if Rivers’ toe injury might be a factor into him playing in 2021. It ended up being an injury that didn’t likely need surgery. Did last week’s retirement of stalwart left tackle Anthony Castonzo play a role?
The decision to hang it up comes with Rivers as the head football coach in waiting at St. Michael’s School in Fairhope, Alabama. Rivers’ oldest son, Gunner, is still a year away from playing high school football, as Philip wants to coach his sons at that level, just like his father did for him. Rivers and his wife Tiffany have 9 children, and will now move their family for the third time in less than a year.
For the Colts, they now will have gone 5 straight seasons without the same returning Week 1 starter at QB from the previous year.
Jacoby Brissett is a free agent in 2021.
Jacob Eason, who didn’t dress for a single game last year, is the only quarterback currently on the roster for this upcoming season.
Unless the Colts want to give Brissett a third crack at the starting job, it’s likely the Day 1 starter for 2021 will now have to come outside the building.
With the Colts offseason not even a dozen days old, two of the most important players on their football team have retired.
Ballard and his staff will certainly earn their money this offseason.
