Philip Rivers returned to the NFL news cycle Tuesday, indicating he will consider a late-season comeback — if an opportunity presents itself. The former Chargers and Colts quarterback made it clear Wednesday he will not ditch his plans to coach high school football this season.
The 39-year-old passer-turned-coach confirmed he will finish his first season at St. Michael Catholic (Fairhope, Alabama) and added that a comeback should still be considered on the less likely side. That said, Rivers plans to stay ready after his high school team’s season ends in either October or November — depending on St. Michael’s postseason docket.
“It’s a long shot at best. But gonna be ready just in case,” Rivers said in a text to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen (on Twitter). “…Will not even consider until our season is over no matter what. And like I said, somebody has to want ya.”
Rivers ditching plans to make his coaching debut would help the Colts, who have his successor — Carson Wentz — sidelined for an extensive period. But any team eyeing Rivers will have to wait. However, Rivers’ potential return would hinge on a starter going down. The 17-year vet would only come back if a starter on a contending team was lost for the season, thus opening up a QB1 gig, Mortensen adds (via Twitter). So, a significant injury’s timing would need to line up for Rivers to suit up again.
After leading the Colts to the 2020 playoffs, Rivers called it quits shortly after Indianapolis’ narrow opening-round defeat. But his unretirement will be a storyline to monitor this year, depending on how the quarterback health landscape looks during the season’s second half.
Bet he’s banking on Brady finally breaking down
is it really a comeback if no regular season weeks have passed since you last played?
It’s rather hard to define. Sometimes a QB who is knocked out in the first quarter but returns in the 4th quarter of the game is considered to be making a comeback.
but i mean in that case there is at least as at least adversity. Rivers wasnt forced to retire by an injury or something – he went out on his own terms.
It made me curious, so I looked up the dictionary definition of “comeback,” and found this: a return by a well-known person, especially an entertainer or sports player, to the activity in which they have formerly been successful.
I guess by that definition, since he formally retired, if he plays again it’s a comeback.
Formally been successful. So no it’s not a comeback.
8 time Pro Bowl selection (2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018). There are more definitions to success than a ring.
No, formally successful. Rivers has never been successful in a tuxedo or a three piece or an evening gown, something satin and lavender maybe.
I don’t think retirement, success or even people need to be involved for a comeback to occur. The humidity of August usually results in my asthma staging a comeback.
A) it’s ‘formerly’, but more importantly B) if you don’t consider what Rivers did in his career as ‘successful’, then you don’t know much about football.
Lol. Home life with 9 kids will make you want to return to work again.
If you have 9 kids you’re probably already at work…on a farm.
He won’t come back until a team is 3 games
Out of the playoffs with 3 weeks to go. Then he’ll win the first two weeks and lost the final
Game in the final seconds to just miss the playoffs
Why would the Colts want him ? All those years and never winning anything? Wow. He is best off coaching High School and showing teenagers how to throw a fit and blame everyone but himself after throwing an INT.
What a terrific statement to make, as it generates a huge amount of content for NFL media partners without it having a chance of actually happening.