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Colts quarterback Philip Rivers expressed gratitude for playing three “bonus games” following the team’s 23-17 loss to the Jaguars on Dec. 28
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Rivers, 44, said he “never saw” the opportunity coming and is “extremely grateful” for it
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The father of 10 says he will return to coaching the Cardinals at St. Michael’s Catholic High School in Alabama once the NFL season ends
Philip Rivers said he’s grateful for the opportunity to play quarterback again.
After the Indianapolis Colts lost 23-17 to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, December 28, the 44-year-old quarterback spoke to reporters, including ESPN, and expressed his gratitude to the team for asking him to put his game uniform back on.
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“I thought the last guy was leaving the field or walking into the tunnel in Buffalo, and I was okay with that, and a few days later that guy was in tears,” Rivers said. “I’m at peace with the fact that this is the last time.”
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Philip Rivers December 22, 2025
He continued, “I got three bonus games that I never saw coming, and I’m so grateful that I got the opportunity.”
Rivers likely won’t start in the Colts’ next game on Sunday, Jan. 4 against the Houston Texans.
“I told you guys I wouldn’t have any regrets about coming back, but I don’t. Other than the fact that we didn’t win,” he added, “it was an absolute blast these three weeks.”
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Now that the Colts are officially out of playoff contention, the team may shut down Rivers and start rookie quarterback Riley Leonard, according to NFL.com.
“If I went back and said, ‘Okay, now that you know everything is going to happen, what are you going to do?’ I would do it again,” he shared. “It’s absolutely awesome. So, yeah, I mean, if this is the last one, it’s the last one.”
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Philip Rivers December 14, 2025
After the season, Rivers said he will return to Fairhope, Alabama, to coach the St. Michael Catholic High School Cardinals. “I’ll be right back on the sidelines [coaching],” he said.
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“I’m sure a lot of viewers would probably say this is probably where you belong,” Rivers joked.
Rivers’ return to the NFL this season was an unexpected storyline after the Colts lost quarterback Daniel Jones to injury. According to ESPN and Fox, Rivers said after the first game of the season that he was “very grateful and grateful that I was able to be on the court.” “This is awesome. It’s awesome.”
His non-retirement also gave Rivers additional perks in the NFL. Rivers, who returned to action after nearly five years out of retirement in 2021, is now eligible for five more years of coverage for himself, his wife, Tiffany, and their 10 children.
According to The Athletic, Rivers’ health insurance benefits will expire in August 2026. Thanks to a 2006 agreement reached by the NFL Players Association, NFL players can receive five years of medical and dental coverage after retirement.
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Read the original article on People
