Quarterback Philip Rivers will retire as a Charger. Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Philip Rivers makes major career announcement

By Steve DelVecchio | Last updated Jul 22, 2025 8:03 AM ET

Philip Rivers is officially closing the book on his NFL career, and the quarterback has found a great way to go out.

The Los Angeles Chargers released a video on Monday in which Rivers revealed that he will retire as a member of the team. The nearly five-minute clip featured Rivers in an interview setting reflecting on his 17-year career, 16 of which were spent with the Chargers.

In the middle of the interview, Rivers got a surprise visit from several former Chargers offensive linemen. The 43-year-old fought back tears on more than one occasion during the sit-down.

"I'm thankful for those 16 years entrusting me to be the quarterback, and I certainly never took it for granted. I never took it for granted, getting to suit up and lead the Chargers for 240-something games in a row," Rivers said.

The full video is worth a watch:

philip rivers forever. pic.twitter.com/bgw5vMb2Sz
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) July 21, 2025

Rivers, who was a star in college at NC State, was drafted by the New York Giants with the No. 4 overall pick in 2004. The Chargers selected Eli Manning first overall that year but had already agreed to a draft-day deal with New York to swap quarterbacks.

Rivers made the Pro Bowl eight times as a member of the Chargers. He's the team's all-time leading passer by a wide margin with 59,271 yards and 397 touchdown passes.

Following his career in San Diego/Los Angeles, Rivers played one season for the Indianapolis Colts in 2020. He left the door open for a comeback after that, but he ultimately could not find a team that was willing to offer him an opportunity to start.

Rivers is currently the head football coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Ala, where he has worked since 2021.

Steve DelVecchio

Steve is a veteran writer who has covered a variety of sports and pop culture topics for more than 15 years. In addition to Yardbarker, his work has been featured on prominent digital publications including Larry Brown Sports, MSN and FOX Sports. The UConn graduate has published more than 40,000 stories and is one of the most experienced trending news writers in the country

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