Following a career that solidified him as one of the greatest quarterbacks ever, Philip Rivers is officially set to retire with the Los Angeles Chargers.
The team announced on Monday that the man who had served 16 years at the helm would retire, where it all began.
Why Philip Rivers Believes the NFL’s Greatest Gift Wasn’t on the Field
With 63,440 passing yards and 424 total touchdowns, Rivers’ legacy will never be forgotten. While his statistics speak for themselves, Rivers is grateful for his NFL journey for numerous reasons.
The Chargers took to social media, where the team broke the news via the man himself.
“I’m Philip Rivers, quarterback, and I’m retiring a Charger,” said Rivers.
Despite dominating on the gridiron, Rivers describes himself as most thankful for the bonds he built along the way.
“I think gratitude really is the first thing that comes to mind,” said Rivers. “There were so many highlights and fun Sundays, so many, but what I miss, and what I’m most appreciative and thankful for are those relationships.”
Rivers continued, “The things that were behind the scenes, what you lived every day. It’s the days at Murphy Canyon on the practice field. You miss those moments.”
philip rivers forever. pic.twitter.com/bgw5vMb2Sz
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) July 21, 2025
The eight-time Pro Bowler began to choke up as he described the small moments leading up to games that motivated him. Things such as the energy of the fans, the team flags, and the smoke coming off the grills.
“That just never got old, it never got old,” said Rivers. “Dang, I didn’t expect to get … Just growing up in the yard playing the game I just loved to play, loved to compete. So that part never left me.”
That was something Rivers admired most about the game, the fun of it. While the 43-year-old admits to trying to get under other teams and players’ skin, his edge all comes from football’s purest form, “in the backyard.”
As Rivers recalls several of his favorite moments, the quarterback confesses that it all goes fast.
Rivers Pays Tribute to Chargers O-Line, Reflects on 240-Game Streak
The father of 10 was not short of giving thanks to all the people who had an impact on him throughout his NFL career, beginning with his offensive line.
“I’m thankful to have had guys like Nick Hardwick, Kris Dielman, Jeromey Clary, Marcus McNeill, Mike Goff,” said Rivers. “These guys, they really cared about me, they really genuinely wanted to keep me clean.
“They took it personal if I was getting drilled under the chin, like they were upset. I always wanted to be tough, like the offensive line, I didn’t wanna let those guys down.”
Rivers’ toughness was displayed more times than not throughout his lengthy NFL career. Perhaps most whenever he went 240 consecutive games without missing a start at quarterback.
Following his exclamation of gratitude, Rivers was met by a few members of his aforementioned offensive line, who presented him with his final contract.
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John Spanos, the Chargers’ president of football operations, expresses how Rivers’ gratitude goes both ways as he describes what the quarterback means to the Chargers family.
“It’s very meaningful for us because of how important of a player he has been — and still is — for this franchise and all that he accomplished while he was here,” Spanos said. “It’s about all he did for the team, both on and off the field, how he represented himself, how he competed, the drive he had to succeed, and the success that we had when he was here.”
Rivers could not be happier that the entire Spanos family believed in him. After a career that extended over a decade, not one moment will be lost for the Chargers legend.
“Thankful for those 16 years and for entrusting me to be the quarterback, and certainly never took it for granted,” said Rivers. “Never took it for granted, being able to suit up and lead the Chargers for shoot 240-something games in a row.”
While Rivers may never have hoisted the Lombardi Trophy, his career accolades, personable character, and unwavering competitive edge are what make him one of the greatest quarterbacks to have ever played the game.