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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers announced on Wednesday that he is retiring after 17 years. The news comes eight months after he was hired to be head coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama once he officially retired. He told the San Diego Tribune-Union that he is in fact headed off to become the head coach at the school. He wants to be on campus in time for spring football.
Rivers exits the NFL fifth all time with 63,440 passing yards, 421 touchdowns, and 5,277 completed passes, and 12th in passer rating at 95.2. He spent 16 years with the San Diego and Los Angeles Chargers where he set virtually every significant franchise passing record. He closed out his career with one season as the Indianapolis Colts quarterback, where he helped guide the team to a wild card berth.
In five years, Rivers will join Drew Brees in becoming eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. There is still a chance Ben Roethlisberger joins that group as well. Rivers and Roethlisberger were part of the impressive 2004 first round class that included Eli Manning.
Meanwhile, the Colts head into the offseason with uncertainty at the QB position. They have Jacoby Brissett and Jacob Eason on the roster, and while Brissett has some starting experience, they’ll be in the market for another QB.