Philip Rivers Steps Away from Bills' Head Coaching Search, But NFL Door May Remain Open
Philip Rivers’ surprising foray into the Buffalo Bills’ head coaching search has come to an end almost as quickly as it began. After interviewing with the team last Friday, Rivers has officially withdrawn his name from consideration, according to NFL Network - closing the chapter on what was shaping up to be one of the more unexpected storylines of this NFL coaching cycle.
This wasn’t just another name tossed into the rumor mill. Rivers’ candidacy caught attention not because of a traditional coaching résumé, but because of who he is - a former Pro Bowl quarterback with nearly two decades of experience reading defenses, commanding huddles, and running offenses at a high level. His name brought instant intrigue, especially for a Bills team that’s clearly leaning toward an offensive-minded leader to guide Josh Allen and maximize the prime years of their MVP-caliber quarterback.
While Rivers stepping into the interview process was a surprise, it wasn’t entirely out of nowhere. Since retiring after the 2020 season, he’s stayed close to the game, albeit in a very different setting - coaching high school football at St.
Michael Catholic in Fairhope, Alabama. That grassroots experience, combined with his deep NFL knowledge, made his emergence in the Bills’ search a fascinating curveball in a coaching cycle filled with familiar names.
And then there’s the timing. Rivers made a brief, unexpected return to the NFL late last season, suiting up for the Indianapolis Colts after injuries decimated their quarterback room.
In three starts, Rivers threw for 544 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions. The Colts didn’t win any of those games, but the fact that he came off the sidelines after five years away from the league and still looked serviceable speaks to his football IQ and preparation - traits that translate well to the coaching ranks.
Buffalo’s interest in Rivers made sense on paper. He’s a quarterback’s quarterback - someone who could speak the same language as Josh Allen, connect on a mental level, and perhaps offer a fresh perspective rooted in real-world experience under center. With Allen reportedly involved in the interview process, the potential for a quarterback-to-quarterback rapport likely played a role in bringing Rivers into the conversation.
But for now, Rivers is stepping back. That doesn’t necessarily mean he’s done with the idea of coaching at the professional level - just that this particular job, and this particular moment, weren’t the right fit.
With Rivers out of the picture, the Bills are expected to refocus their search on candidates with more traditional NFL coaching backgrounds. Names that have been connected to the job include former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, current Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady, former Giants head coach Brian Daboll, and Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski - all of whom bring varying degrees of play-calling experience and familiarity with NFL systems.
As for Rivers, he returns to the sidelines in Alabama, where he’s been coaching his son, Gunner, a highly touted four-star quarterback prospect in the Class of 2027. Gunner is ranked as the No. 5 QB nationally by 247Sports, and coaching him gives Rivers a front-row seat to his development - not to mention the chance to stay close to his other nine children.
The NFL may not have seen the last of Philip Rivers in a coaching capacity. But for now, he’s choosing family, Friday night lights, and a different kind of quarterback room.