Despite being only 105 yards away, Philip Rivers reveals the real reason not to chase Ben Roethlisberger's all-time passing record

Philip Rivers made a surprising return to the NFL after nearly five years out, suiting up for the Indianapolis Colts from Week 15 to Week 17 as an emergency option amid a ton of quarterback injuries.

While Rivers looked serviceable in his brief stint, throwing for 456 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions on 55 of 83 passing, the results didn’t follow. The Colts went winless in his three starts and have now officially missed the postseason after opening the year with an 8-2 record.

With the regular season nearly complete, Rivers has officially ended his second NFL run, leaving a notable record untouched despite being close.

Only 105 passing yards separate Rivers from overtaking Ben Roethlisberger for seventh-most passing yards in NFL history. Yet, even with the milestone within arm’s reach, Rivers has shut the door on any cameo appearance, insisting there will be no return simply to chase numbers.

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Speaking on the "Up & Adams" show on Wednesday, host Kay Adams asked Rivers to explain why he chose not to pursue Roethlisberger on the NFL’s all-time passing yards list.

"That (passing Roethlisberger) wasn’t the reason why I’m not doing it. But that would have been on the list of reasons for me to say, ‘Eh, I’m not,’" Rivers said. "You had to come back after five years at 44, then play in the last game of the year after they’d been eliminated just to get to Roethlisberger? It would almost need an asterisk beside it.”

Rivers reiterated that he wasn’t motivated by the pursuit of Roethlisberger’s record, saying that his brief return had nothing to do with padding numbers.

When Kay Adams suggested that coming up short of the all-time passing yards milestone could complicate his Hall of Fame case, Rivers firmly brushed it off.

“Whether it happens or when it happens, it won’t come down to that 100 yards. I can assure you,” Rivers said.

Rivers walks away with 63,984 passing yards on his résumé, the result of a 17-season career, eight Pro Bowl appearances and a body of work that defined one of the most prolific quarterbacking eras in NFL history.

Philip Rivers will not be eligible for the Hall of Fame until 2031

Philip Rivers had already reached Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalist status before making his brief return to the NFL this season. As a result, his Hall of Fame timeline has reset, and he will now be eligible for induction in 2031 after completing the mandatory five-year waiting period.

The 44-year-old star's career spanned 17 seasons, including 16 years with the LA Chargers and one with the Colts before he first stepped away from the game.

Philip Rivers’ short-lived return with Indianapolis earlier this year serves as a strange final chapter to one of the most prolific passing careers the modern NFL has seen. He now ranks sixth all-time in passing touchdowns (425) and eighth in passing yards (63,984).

Edited by R. Elahi