NFL notebook: QB Philip Rivers retires after 17 seasons Philip Rivers won 134 career games – second among quarterbacks without a Super Bowl ring – in 16 seasons with the Chargers and last season with the Colts. Associated Press Share Philip Rivers, who played 16 seasons with the Chargers before signing with the Colts last season, announced his retirement on Wednesday. Ed Zurga/Associated Press INDIANAPOLIS — When Philip Rivers first started tossing footballs as a high school ball boy, he heaved them any way he could. The throwing motion stuck – and success soon followed. Rivers used that strange, shot put-like style to land a college scholarship, become a first-round draft pick and eventually string together one of the greatest 17-year careers in NFL history. On Wednesday, the 39-year-old Indianapolis Colts quarterback announced his retirement.