How to Retire at 39: The Colts Say Goodbye to Their Season and to Their Quarterback

Eight seconds to play. The Buffalo Bills are up by three, but it’s the Colt’s ball. The ball is hiked to the Colts quarterback, Philip Rivers. He surveys the defense quickly and fires the ball out of bounds. Four seconds remain. The offense sets into place. The ball is hiked. Rivers looks for an open man. He sees his man and chucks the ball down the field. The ball is in the air. It’s going … it’s going … it’s knocked away by Micah Hyde! The Bills win. 

The Buffalo Bills advanced to the second round of the playoffs, taking down the Indianapolis Colts, 27-24. This game was close, but ultimately, the Bills pulled through with the leadership of their MVP candidate quarterback, Josh Allen. Josh Allen had a solid game with 324 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. Veteran Colts leader Philip Rivers had 309 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. However, what is arguably the biggest storyline for the Colts right now takes place off the field: Was this Philip Rivers’ last game? 

Rivers, age 39, was drafted as the fourth overall pick in the 2004 draft by the San Diego Chargers. He played 16 seasons with the Chargers in both San Diego and then Los Angeles when the Chargers moved. After his 16th season, the Chargers decided to go with a younger option and they parted ways. Rivers found a new home in Indianapolis where he would play season number 17. 

Although Rivers did struggle in the playoffs, with a 3-4 record for his playoff career, he   has some of the greatest regular season stats of any player in NFL history. Since entering the league, he ranks fifth in all-time passing yards at 63,440, fifth all-time pass completion at 5,277, and fifth all-time in passing touchdowns with 421. These numbers are good enough that he will likely get into the Hall of Fame despite his lack of playoff experience and awards. 

Not only has Rivers put up some of the best numbers in NFL history, but he has been one of the most consistent players since entering the league. While most years he didn’t have the best supporting team of players, the Chargers were almost always a competitive team and that is due to his leadership and skill. In his only season with the Colts, he led them to the playoffs. Since Rivers has officially decided to retire, he will go down in NFL history as a tremendous leader and one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game.

Jacob Roney is a junior

business administration major

from Sturgeon, Miss.