Rivers’ Next Big Payday?

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers announced his retirement yesterday after 17 years in the NFL and more than $240 million in earnings.

Rivers, who ranks fifth in league history in both passing yards and touchdown passes, could continue to see big paydays.

While he plans to coach his sons’ football team at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama, TV networks are also eyeing the always-chatty Rivers as an NFL analyst. 

Openings include the color commentator role for Fox and ESPN’s “Monday Night Football.” 

Rivers would join the growing list of NFL alumni on weekly broadcasts:

• Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo has excelled as an analyst for CBS since 2017, and now makes a reported $18 million per season.
• Fellow retired Dallas QB Troy Aikman has become a staple in homes alongside Joe Buck on Fox.
• Former wideout Cris Collinsworth has been a color analyst for NBC since 1990 and has won 15 Sports Emmys.
• New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees has a deal to join “Sunday Night Football” as an analyst now that he’s retired.

Networks have also sought former Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning since he retired in 2016, though he’s hosting the ESPN+ show “Peyton’s Places.”

“Manning’s the white whale for everybody. But Rivers might be just as good. If not better,” a source told FOS in December.