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Former NFL quarterback Philip Rivers is reportedly "under serious consideration" for Buffalo Bills' head coaching job, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on NFL Gameday Morning Sunday (January 25).
Rivers, 44, who has worked as the head football coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama, came out of retirement to join the Colts last month and was reported to have interviewed for the Bills' head coaching vacancy on Friday (January 23).
“One of the biggest stories of the year was Philip Rivers coming back to the field, unbelievable, and actually it is not done yet,” Rapoport said on the NFL Gameday Morning live broadcast. “Philip Rivers interviewed in the last several days for the Buffalo Bills head coaching job, in person. That is real, this actually happened, and my understanding is this is under serious consideration.
“Sounds like in the interview process, he crushed it. And I know he has been just a high-school coach, but he’s basically been a head coach and essentially a play-caller on every team he’s been in over the last decade or so. Philip Rivers has a strong connection around the league of veteran coaches, guys like [former Colts and Panthers coach] Frank Reich would be one, guys like [49ers assistant] Gus Bradley another. He could pull an impressive staff. This is certainly one to keep an eye on.”
Rapoport previously reported that Rivers was viewed as a potential head coaching candidate for the offseason hiring cycle earlier this month when only the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans -- who have hired John Harbaugh and Robert Saleh, respectively -- had openings.
"Sources say that teams have been doing research on Rivers as a candidate and making background calls. That happened last year, as well. Rivers previously has never been willing to engage -- not with college or NFL teams -- but his dramatic return to the NFL in December might have sparked his interest," Rapoport wrote for NFL.com at the time.
The Colts started rookie Riley Leonard over Rivers, who was ruled inactive, in their final regular season game on January 4. The veteran quarterback went 0-3 in three starts with the Colts in 2025, throwing for 544 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions on 58 of 92 passing.
The Bills announced the firing of former head coach Sean McDermott on Monday (January 19), two days after their AFC Divisional Round loss to the Denver Broncos. McDermott was hired by Buffalo in 2017 and the team has been a perennial contender for the majority of his tenure, making the playoffs eight times in nine seasons and winning the AFC East Division title five consecutive seasons from 2019 to 2024.
The Bills haven't, however, made a Super Bowl appearance in that span, losing twice in the AFC Championship Game, four times in the AFC Divisional Game and twice in the AFC Wild Card Game. Buffalo was also reported to have interviewed Washington Commanders running backs coach Anthony Lynn and Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver on Saturday (January 24) and Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski on Sunday (January 25), the Athletic's Dianna Russini reports.
"Buffalo is making sure their best player, team leader, and face of the franchise is part of the hiring process. Josh Allen will have significant say on the next coach of the Buffalo Bills," Russini wrote on her X account.