Philip Rivers contract, explained: What to know about salary, health insurance benefits from Colts QB's deal

Teddy Ricketson

Philip Rivers contract, explained: What to know about salary, health insurance benefits from Colts QB's deal image

Philip Rivers entered the NFL as the fourth overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. He spent 17 years in the NFL, 16 with the Los Angeles Chargers, and ended his career with the Indianapolis Colts on a one-year deal in 2020.

After four years away from the NFL, Rivers was a semifinalist for the league's Hall of Fame class for 2026. With injuries to Indianapolis' quarterback room and a playoff berth on the line, he was wooed out of retirement by Indianapolis and signed a one-year deal. 

The deal itself was pretty standard, but there were some behind-the-scenes impacts of not only the contract, but the fact that he was promoted to the active roster by Indianapolis. 

Here is more on Rivers' contract with the Colts.

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Philip Rivers contract details

Rivers signed a one-year, $1.255 million deal with the Colts, per Spotrac. It pales in comparison to the one-year, $25 million deal Indianapolis gave him for the 2020 season. Rivers was signed ahead of Week 15 and was charged, theoretically, with leading the Colts through the end of the regular season and a hopeful playoff run after Daniel Jones' season-ending injury. 

Rivers was initially signed to the practice squad, but was subsequently activated to the main roster. By doing this, Rivers' Hall-of-Fame eligibility was pushed back another five years, so now he will not be eligible for enshrinement in Canton until 2031. 

MORE: Where Philip Rivers ranks among most career passing yards in NFL history

How much is Philip Rivers getting paid?

Rivers signed a $1.25 million deal for the 2025 season.

Because of the timing of the signing, the deal is prorated, so the veteran quarterback will only make $278,888. 

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Philip Rivers health insurance 

An agreement in 2006 between the NFL and the NFL Players Association stated that a player who is on a roster for three seasons will receive health insurance from the league for five years after their retirement. 

Rivers, who retired following the 2020 season, was set to lose his health insurance in August 2026. Now, Rivers is an active player again, so his health insurance clock resets. If the quarterback retires again following the 2025 season, he will have health insurance from the NFL until August 2031. 

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Philip Rivers career earnings

Here is a look at how much Rivers has made over his NFL career.

YearTeamCash TotalCash Cumulative
2004Chargers$8,955,000$8,955,000
2005Chargers$8,880,000$17,835,000
2006Chargers$4,750,000$22,585,000
2007Chargers$9,325,000$31,910,000
2008Chargers$5,450,000$37,360,000
2009Chargers$25,550,000$62,910,000
2010Chargers$12,600,000$75,510,000
2011Chargers$8,400,000$83,910,000
2012Chargers$10,200,000$94,110,000
2013Chargers$12,000,000$106,110,000
2014Chargers$13,800,000$119,910,000
2015Chargers$32,007,656$151,917,656
2016Chargers$22,000,000$173,917,656
2017Chargers$14,000,000$187,917,656
2018Chargers$15,000,000$202,917,656
2019Chargers$16,000,000$218,917,656
2020Colts$25,026,666$244,223,210
2025Colts$278,888$2,44,223,210
TotalChargers, Colts$2,44,223,210$2,44,223,210

Philip Rivers net worth 

According to CelebrityNetWorth, Rivers has a net worth of $100 million. 

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