Philip Rivers returns: What Colts practice-squad QB has been doing since his 2021 retirement

March 7, 2023: 'Ship has sailed' on NFL for Philip Rivers

Two years after retiring, Rivers shot down the prospect of an NFL return, telling AL.com that despite "a couple of teams just kind of checking in... the ship has sailed."

Aug. 10, 2023: San Francisco 49ers head Kyle Shanahan reveals Philip Rivers 'secret' 

The 49ers lost quarterback Trey Lance, Jimmy Garoppolo and Brock Purdy to injuries during the 2022 season, which ended in the NFC Championship Game. Had San Francisco made it to Super Bowl LVII, head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed in August 2023 that Rivers would have been the team's contingency plan.

"He was prepared to," Shanahan told reporters. "We would've had to have seen how that was for the Super Bowl, but that was the plan most of the year."

Oct. 30, 2023: Philip Rivers welcomes 10th child 

The Rivers clan grew in 2023 when wife Tiffany Rivers gave birth to the couple's 10th child.

"It's awesome. Tiffany is awesome," Rivers said, per Al.com.

It's also expensive. Good luck raising a family of 10 on a high school coach's salary. Yeah, we might consider an NFL return, too.

Aug. 17, 2024: Son debuts in 247Sports' top 100 rankings

If Rivers does well with the Colts, who knows? We could be a few years from the NFL's answer to LeBron and Bronny James.

Rivers' eldest son, Gunner Rivers, is one of the top high school quarterback prospects in the country, first cracking 247Sports' top 100 for the 2027 class ahead of the 2024 season. He ranks No. 41 overall and is the No. 6 quarterback in his class.

Nov. 29, 2024: Coached St. Michael to the semifinals of the Class 4A state playoffs

Rivers coached St. Michael to its uncharted heights in 2024, leading the team to the semifinals of the state playoffs for the first time in school history before losing to eventual Class 4A champion Jackson.

"The margin of error is so small," Rivers said afterward before striking an optimistic note. "Every play is contested, but I haven't seen anybody come in here and play like we have tonight."

The team returned to the semifinals as the No. 1 seed in 2025 but fell once again to Jackson on Nov. 28.

July 21, 2025: Retires as member of Los Angeles Chargers

Rivers appeared to end the thought of an NFL comeback just five months ago, when he ceremoniously retired as a Charger.

"I'm thankful for those 16 years," Rivers said in a video posted to social media. "I certainly never took it for granted."

July 31, 2025: Confirmed NFL interest in Philip Rivers

A little more than a week after his Chargers retirement, Rivers appeared on "The Dan Patrick Show" and confirmed not only San Francisco was interested in signing him after his first retirement, but also the Saints and Colts.

While Indianapolis wasn't successful with its previous pursuit, this time it was persuasive enough to bring Rivers back into the fold. His first action back could come Sunday in Seattle (10-3).