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The Buffalo Bills tapping Philip Rivers for a head coaching interview turned some heads, but that may have just been to check all their boxes as they searched for Sean McDermott’s replacement.
Not so fast, Dad.
Rivers, 44, shocked everyone when he returned to the Indianapolis Colts to start three games following quarterback injuries with his former team. He is now reportedly under serious consideration for the head coaching job in Western New York.
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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers jogs off the field after an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
“One of the biggest stories of the year was Philip Rivers returning to the field, incredible, and actually, it’s not done yet,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said on “NFL Gameday Morning.”
“Philip Rivers was interviewed in person over the last few days for the Buffalo Bills head coaching job. It’s real, it actually happened, and I understand it’s being seriously considered.”
The Bills announced Friday that they interviewed Rivers for their vacancy, and he has been coaching at the high school level since his retirement.
PHILIP RIVERS INTERVIEWED FOR BILLS COACHING JOB AFTER BRIEF RETURN TO NFL: REPORT
Rivers served as the head football coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama, from 2021-24, following a 17-year career with the Chargers organization.
Rapoport added that Rivers “crushed” the interview with the Bills, making him someone to watch in this process.
“I know he’s only coached in high school, but he’s basically been a head coach and play-caller on every team he’s played on over the last decade,” Rapoport said. “Philip Rivers has a strong connection to the league of veteran coaches, guys like [former Colts and Carolina Panthers coach] Frank Reich would be one, guys like [San Francisco 49ers assistant] Gus Bradley another. He could muster an impressive stick. This is definitely one to watch. »
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) on the sideline during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on December 6, 2020. (Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports)
Buffalo also continues to look at other candidates, including Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, who they met with on Sunday. Another prime candidate is former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll, who spent years with the Bills under McDermott, working closely with MVP quarterback Josh Allen to make him one of the best in the game.
Rivers’ return to the NFL was fun to watch despite going 0-3. He replaced Daniel Jones, who suffered a torn Achilles tendon, playing his first games since the 2020 campaign. He threw four touchdowns and three interceptions in his three starts.
Rivers remained with the Colts through Week 18, where head coach Shane Steichen let rookie Riley Leonard get his reps given the team’s elimination from the playoffs.
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 the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on December 14, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
McDermott went 98-50 in his nine years at the helm of the Bills, which is the second-most wins by an NFL team since he started coaching Buffalo in 2017.
The Bills made the playoffs eight times during that span, but McDermott couldn’t lead them to the Super Bowl despite two AFC Championship appearances. Buffalo lost both of those games to the Kansas City Chiefs, including the 2024 season.
