Philip Rivers, the former NFL quarterback, has officially announced his retirement from professional football. Until now, Rivers had not formally declared his departure from the league, which he last played in during the 2020 season. In a heartfelt social media post, he expressed his decision to retire as a member of the San Diego Chargers, the team with which he is most closely associated, despite having played his final season with the Indianapolis Colts.

This announcement, as noted by Chargers president of football operations John Spanos, was anticipated for some time. Spanos shared that he and Rivers had engaged in discussions regarding retirement over the past several years. 'We had a really good conversation and there was a lot of gratitude expressed back and forth,' Spanos stated, affirming his appreciation for Rivers' impact on the team and its fan base, as well as Rivers’ acknowledgment of the significance of the Chargers in his life. Both Spanos and Rivers recognized that the day of retirement was approaching, but prioritized ensuring that the timing was right for Rivers to formally close that chapter.

The video accompanying Rivers' announcement showcased many of his career highlights as a Charger, featuring appearances from former offensive linemen, including Nick Hardwick, Kris Dielman, Marcus McNeill, and Jeromey Clary, who shared the moment with him. Rivers leaves behind an impressive legacy as one of the NFL's top quarterbacks, having spent 16 years with the Chargers. A pivotal figure since being selected as the No. 4 pick in the 2004 NFL Draft, Rivers established himself as a starter by his third season, leading the Chargers to a remarkable 14-2 record and earning his first of eight Pro Bowl selections. Throughout his career, he made a remarkable 224 consecutive starts and led the franchise to four consecutive AFC West division titles in his initial seasons as a starter. Rivers led the league in passing touchdowns in 2008 and passing yards in 2010, concluding his tenure with the Chargers with a completion percentage of 64.7%, totaling 59,271 passing yards, 397 touchdowns, and 198 interceptions. He holds the franchise records for most passing yards, touchdowns, and completions, and is anticipated to be a strong candidate for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, ranking eighth in NFL history for completions and sixth for both yards and passing touchdowns.