NFL news: Bills seriously considering Philip Rivers for head coach position, insider says
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The Buffalo Bills bringing in Philip Rivers for a head coaching interview attracted some attention, but perhaps that was just to check all the boxes when searching for Sean McDermott’s replacement.
Not that fast, daddy.
Rivers, 44, shocked everyone when he returned to the Indianapolis Colts to start three games after quarterback injuries with his former team. Now, he is reportedly being seriously considered for the head coaching job at Western New York.
CLICK TO GET MORE SPORTS NEWS FOXNEWS.COM
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
“One of the biggest stories of the year was Philip Rivers getting back on the field, it’s incredible and it hasn’t actually been done yet.” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport he said on “NFL Game Day Morning.”
“Philip Rivers has personally interviewed for the head coaching job of the Buffalo Bills within the last few days. This is real, this actually happened, and it is my understanding that this matter is being considered seriously.”
The Bills announced Friday that they had interviewed Rivers for their vacancy and that Rivers has been coaching at the high school level since his retirement.
PHILIP RIVERS INTERVIEWS FOR BILLS COACHING JOB AFTER SHORT NFL RETURN: REPORT
Rivers will return to St. Louis in Fairhope, Alabama from 2021-24 after a 17-year career with the Chargers organization. He served as the head football coach at St. Michael Catholic High School.
Rapoport added that Rivers “crashed” the interview with the Bills, making him one to watch in the process.
“I know he was just a high school coach, but he was basically a head coach and essentially a game caller on every team he was on in the last decade,” Rapoport explained. “Philip Rivers has a strong connection in the league with experienced coaches. [former Colts and Carolina Panthers coach] Frank Reich would be one of them, like men [San Francisco 49ers assistant] Gus Bradley is another. He could draw an impressive wand. “This is definitely something to keep an eye on.”
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) is on the sideline during a game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 6, 2020. (Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports)
Buffalo continues to examine other candidates, including Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, with whom they met on Sunday. Another top candidate is former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll, who spent years under McDermott with the Bills and worked closely with MVP quarterback Josh Allen to mold him into one of the game’s best.
Rivers’ return to the NFL was fun to watch, even though he was 0-3. He replaced Daniel Jones, who suffered an Achilles tear in their first game since the 2020 season. He threw four touchdowns and three interceptions in his three starts.
Rivers remained with the Colts in Week 18, where head coach Shane Steichen allowed rookie Riley Leonard to take reps as the team was eliminated from playoff contention.
While the Bills continue their search, ESPN reported that McDermott could take a year off from coaching.
Philip Rivers of the Indianapolis Colts warms up before his game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on December 14, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
CLICK TO REACH THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION
McDermott was 98-50 in nine years leading the Bills; It was the second-most wins by an NFL team since he began coaching Buffalo in 2017.
The Bills made the postseason eight times during that span, but McDermott was unable to lead them to the Super Bowl despite making two AFC Championship appearances. Buffalo lost both of those games to the Kansas City Chiefs, including the 2024 season.
Follow Fox News Digital Sports streaming on X and subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
