The Indianapolis Colts are dealing with injuries to their top three quarterbacks all while trying to make a playoff push.
Their solution? The Colts are signing a Hall of Fame semifinalist who hasn’t played in the league since the 2020 NFL season to try to bridge the gap at quarterback.
The Colts are set to add veteran quarterback Philip Rivers to their practice squad, per multiple reports. Rivers most recently played during the 2020 NFL season and helped lead the Colts to a postseason berth in what appeared to be his final NFL season.
But now, Rivers will be back in the saddle for one last ride and will hope to lead Indianapolis (8-5) into the postseason.
Naturally, Rivers has become a lightning rod for NFL fans excited to see how his story plays out. After all, it’s not often that a grandfather gets a chance to play in the NFL.
Here’s everything to know about Rivers, from his on-the-field achievements to facts about his personal life and family.
When did Philip Rivers retire?
Rivers retired following the 2020 NFL season after spending the final season of his career as a member of the Colts.
Rivers led Indianapolis to an 11-5 record in his lone season with the Colts. He completed 68% of his passes for 4,169 yards, 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while getting his team into the playoffs as the first-ever AFC No. 7 seed.
The Colts were unable to earn a postseason win, losing their wild-card matchup 27-24 on the road against the Buffalo Bills. Rivers completed 27 of 46 passes (58.7%) for 309 yards and two touchdowns in the contest before retiring during the offseason.
Rivers retired during the offseason having played 17 total NFL seasons – 16 with the Chargers and one with the Colts. He also signed a ceremonial, one-day contract to retire with the Chargers in July 2025.
But now, Rivers will rejoin the NFL ranks for one final ride in Indianapolis.
When was Philip Rivers drafted?
Rivers was selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. He was originally chosen by the New York Giants but was traded to the then-San Diego Chargers in exchange for Eli Manning, who had been the No. 1 overall pick.
Rivers played collegiately at North Carolina State and was one of four quarterbacks selected in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft along with Manning, Ben Roethlisberger and J.P. Losman.
Philip Rivers career stats
Here is a look at Rivers’ stats from his 17-year career:
Record: 134-106
Completion rate: 64.9%
Passing yards: 63,440
Passing TDs: 421
Interceptions: 209
Passer rating: 95.2
Rivers ranked sixth all time in passing yards at the time of his retirement in 2020 and fifth in touchdown passes. He has since been passed in both categories by Aaron Rodgers.
Is Philip Rivers in the Hall of Fame?
Not yet. Rivers was one of 26 players named a semifinalist for the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026, an honor that came in his first year on the ballot.
However, Rivers’ eligibility for enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame will be reset if he takes a snap for the Colts in 2025. The earliest he could get a gold jacket after that would be 2031.
How old is Philip Rivers?
Rivers celebrated his 44th birthday on Monday, Dec. 8. By joining the Colts, he immediately becomes the NFL’s oldest active player, taking the mantle from 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers.
Oldest active NFL players
Philip Rivers, QB, Indianapolis Colts: 44 years old
Aaron Rodgers, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers: 42 years old
Nick Folk, K, New York Jets: 41 years old
Matt Prater, K, Buffalo Bills: 41 years old
Marcedes Lewis, TE, Denver Broncos: 41 years old
Joe Flacco, QB, Cincinnati Bengals: 40 years old
JJ Jansen, LS, Carolina Panthers: 39 years old
Jon Weeks, LS, San Francisco 49ers: 39 years old
Morgan Cox, LS, Tennessee Titans: 39 years old
Thomas Morstead, P, San Francisco 49ers: 39 years old
Josh Johnson, QB, Washington Commanders: 39 years old
Calais Campbell, DL, Arizona Cardinals: 39 years old
While Rivers is the NFL’s oldest active player, he still falls short of George Blanda’s all-time record. The quarterback-slash-kicker played 26 total NFL seasons and was 48 during his final campaign with the then-Oakland Raiders in 1975.
Is Philip Rivers a grandfather?
Yes, Rivers is a grandfather. He told Jon Gruden in an interview that he has a grandson who, at the time of the interview, was six months old.
Rivers won’t be the first grandfather to play in the NFL, as Brett Favre had a grandson during the final stages of his career. Still, NFL fans will be happy to point out Rivers’ status as they see what the 44-year-old may still have in the tank.
How many kids does Philip Rivers have?
Rivers has 10 children. The oldest, Halle, is 23 years old while the youngest, Andrew, is just 2 years old.
Here’s a full look at the Rivers siblings:
Halle: 23
Caroline: 20
Grace: 19
Gunner: 17
Sarah: 15
Peter: 14
Rebecca: 12
Clare: 10
Anna: 6
Andrew: 2
Football fans may be familiar with Gunner Rivers. He is following in his father’s footsteps as a quarterback, and the junior is currently projected to be a four-star recruit in the Class of 2027 by 247 Sports.
Philip Rivers career earnings
In case you’re wondering how Rivers has managed to raise 10 children, his NFL career has helped support his family.
Rivers earned just more than $243.9 million during his playing career, per Spotrac.com. That presently makes him the 13th-highest-paid player in NFL history.
Philip Rivers contract with Colts
Rivers is signing to the Colts’ practice squad, so he will be compensated on a weekly basis. Players with more than two years of NFL service will make between $17,500 and $22,000 per week in 2025.
On Rivers’ previous one-year deal with the Colts in 2020, he was paid $25 million, per Spotrac.com.