Philip Rivers is calling it quits after 17 magnificent seasons.
The 39-year-old QB told the San Diego Union-Tribune he will be retiring from the NFL after the 2020 season, his first with the Indianapolis Colts.
“It’s just time,” Rivers told the Union-Tribune. “It’s just right.”
Rivers spent the first 16 seasons of his career with the Chargers. He was drafted by the Giants, but was traded to San Diego after Eli Manning infamously refused to play for that team.
Rivers took the Chargers to the playoffs six times and made the AFC Championship Game in 2007. He made the Pro Bowl eight times and was the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year in 2013.
After years of consistent play, he saw a downturn in production in 2019, throwing 20 interceptions and finishing the season with an 88.5 passer rating. The Chargers opted not to re-sign Rivers, and he took a one-year, $25 million deal with the Colts in the offseason.
He threw for 4,169 yards and 21 TDs with the Colts, leading them to an 11-5 record, but they lost in the Wild-Card round to the Bills.
In his career, Rivers tallied 63,440 passing yards (fifth all-time), 421 touchdowns and 209 interceptions.
Rivers’ 2004 NFL Draft class, which also featured Manning and Ben Roethlisberger, is often considered among the greatest QB classes of all time. All three will certainly get consideration for the Hall of Fame.
Rivers was hired to be the head football coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama, last year, and will reportedly be on campus as early as spring football.
“Every year, January 20th is a special and emotional day,” Rivers said in a statement. “It is St. Sebastians Feast day, the day I played in the AFC championship without an ACL, and now the day that after 17 seasons, I’m announcing my retirement from the National Football League.”
The famous trash talker also said, “I appreciate the referees for putting up with all my fussing. I think I was right most of the time dadgummit!”