The Buffalo Bills are exploring a bold and unconventional path in their head coaching search - and it’s leading them straight to Philip Rivers.
Yes, that Philip Rivers.
According to reports, the former Chargers and Colts quarterback has already interviewed with the Bills for their vacant head coaching position. And while Rivers hasn’t publicly declared himself a full-fledged candidate, there’s real smoke here. Teams around the league have reportedly been doing background work on him throughout this hiring cycle, intrigued by what he could bring to the table in a leadership role.
Rivers, now 44, has been coaching high school football since retiring after the 2020 NFL season. Most recently, he made a surprise return to the field with the Colts late in the 2025 campaign, stepping in for a short stint that saw him suit up for three games. It was a brief but telling reminder of his deep understanding of the game and his ability to lead a locker room - even after years away.
When asked about the buzz surrounding his name, Rivers didn’t exactly shut the door on the possibility of coaching in the NFL. While he emphasized his current focus is returning to his high school team - where he coaches his son, Gunner, who’s heading into his senior year - he acknowledged that the idea of coaching at the pro level has crossed his mind.
“There’s nothing concrete to that,” Rivers said. “I think if this past month has taught me anything, it’s that you’re open, obviously, to anything.
Then you go from there. But I’m looking forward to going back home, getting back with those [players], getting back to my family.”
Still, Rivers didn’t shy away from the idea that he could handle the job.
“I do think, as humbly as I can say it, that I could coach at this level,” he said. “I know enough about the game and about the guys, and from a leadership standpoint, camaraderie, all that comes with it. But again, that’s not something I’m sitting here pursuing.”
That humility tracks with who Rivers has always been - passionate, competitive, and deeply respected by teammates. His leadership was a defining trait throughout a career that spanned 17 seasons, 247 games, and eight Pro Bowl nods. He threw for over 63,000 yards and 425 touchdowns, building a reputation as one of the most fiery and cerebral quarterbacks of his era.
And that leadership might be exactly what the Bills are looking for.
Rivers has a strong relationship with Josh Allen, and reports indicate the franchise quarterback will be involved in the interview process. That connection could be a key factor. Allen, known for his own competitive fire, might see a kindred spirit in Rivers - someone who understands the grind of the position and the nuances of building a winning culture.
There’s no denying that hiring a former player with no NFL coaching experience would be a gamble. But Rivers isn’t just any former player.
He was the emotional center of his teams, a coach-on-the-field type who understood the game at a granular level. His ability to connect with players, command a room, and process the game at high speed all translate well to the sideline.
And let’s not forget - Rivers didn’t just ride off into the sunset after his retirement. He stayed in the game, molding young players at the high school level and briefly stepping back into the NFL in 2025. In that short stint with the Colts, he completed 63 percent of his passes for 544 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions - proving he still had it, at least mentally, even after years away.
Now, the question is whether he’s ready to take the next leap - not as a player, but as the man in charge.
The Bills are clearly intrigued. And if Rivers is, too, this could be one of the most fascinating coaching hires in recent memory.