Philip Rivers, who last played in the NFL during the 2020 season, has officially announced his retirement from professional football. The former quarterback made the announcement via a social media post, stating, 'I'm Philip Rivers, quarterback, and I'm retiring a Charger.' This declaration marks the culmination of a storied career predominantly associated with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers, despite concluding his playing tenure with the Indianapolis Colts.

Chargers president of football operations John Spanos commented on Rivers' retirement, indicating that discussions about the quarterback's future have taken place over several years. 'We had a really good conversation and there was a lot of gratitude expressed back and forth, from me personally and on the team's behalf for everything he's meant to us and all our fans,' Spanos shared. The timing of Rivers' retirement appeared to be a collaborative decision, with both parties acknowledging that they anticipated this day for some time, while respecting Rivers' need to be ready to close that chapter of his life.

Throughout his distinguished 16-year career with the Chargers, Rivers achieved numerous milestones, including eight Pro Bowl selections and a remarkable streak of 224 consecutive starts. His leadership helped propel the Chargers to four consecutive AFC West division titles during his initial four seasons as a starter. Rivers led the league in passing touchdowns in 2008 and passing yards in 2010, finishing his tenure with the franchise with 59,271 passing yards, 397 touchdown passes, and a completion rate of 64.7 percent. His impressive statistics and contributions to the team have solidified Rivers' legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks in Chargers history, positioning him for potential induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.