Joe Brady Named Bills Head Coach After Philip Rivers Bows Out of Consideration
The Buffalo Bills have made their call - Joe Brady is officially the new head coach. The decision to promote the team’s offensive coordinator didn’t come out of nowhere, but it turns out the path to that choice was more layered than most realized. In fact, the Bills came closer than expected to handing the reins to a name that would've turned heads: Philip Rivers.
Yes, that Philip Rivers - the 17-year NFL veteran, eight-time Pro Bowler, and longtime face of the Chargers franchise. According to Bills GM Brandon Beane, Rivers was more than just a courtesy interview. He was seriously in the running.
Beane recently opened up about the search process and revealed that the team was genuinely intrigued by the idea of Rivers leading the locker room. Despite Rivers' only coaching experience coming at the high school level, the Bills were willing to explore the unconventional. Rivers reportedly impressed during the interview process, showing a deep understanding of the game and a strong presence that had Beane and company thinking hard.
“He did a great job,” Beane said of Rivers’ interview. “I’d be surprised if he wasn’t in the mix when we were ready to name our new leader.”
But as much as the Bills were ready to take a leap, it ultimately came down to whether Rivers was ready to do the same. Beane recounted a pivotal moment when he asked Rivers directly: Do you really want this job?
That question hung in the air - and eventually, Rivers had his answer.
Beane later got a call from Rivers, whose voice cracked as he admitted that while the opportunity to coach a team led by Josh Allen was enticing, he wasn’t sure he could fully commit. For a father of 10 - and now a grandfather - the idea of uprooting his family and diving into the relentless grind of NFL coaching just didn’t feel right.
It’s a tough ask for anyone, but especially for someone who’s already done the football thing at the highest level for nearly two decades. Rivers had even returned to the field briefly in 2025 for a late-season stint with the Colts after a five-year retirement. That comeback didn’t go as hoped, and it may have served as a final confirmation that his heart wasn’t in it anymore - at least not in the way a job like this demands.
With Rivers stepping away from consideration, the Bills turned to a familiar face in Brady. The decision signals a desire for continuity - and not just for the sake of comfort.
Brady took over play-calling duties midway through the season and helped stabilize the offense, building a strong rapport with Allen in the process. Promoting him allows the Bills to build on that foundation rather than start from scratch.
It’s a move that speaks to both trust and timing. Brady knows the personnel, understands the system, and has already earned the respect of the locker room. While the Rivers storyline adds a fascinating “what if” to the Bills’ coaching search, the team ultimately landed on a leader who’s already in the building and already proven he can handle the pressure.
Now, with Brady officially at the helm, the Bills head into the offseason with clarity - and a coach who’s ready to roll up his sleeves and chase a Super Bowl with Josh Allen leading the charge.