NFL News: Bills are seriously considering Philip Rivers for head coach position, insider says
NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
The Buffalo Bills bringing in Philip Rivers for a head coaching interview turned heads, but maybe it was checking all their boxes as they look for a replacement for Sean McDermott.
Not so fast, dad.
Rivers, 44, shocked everyone when he returned to the Indianapolis Colts to start three games following a quarterback injury with his old team. Now, he is reportedly being seriously considered for the head coaching position in western New York.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE GAMES FOXNEWS.COM
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers runs off the field following an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP/AJ Mast Photo)
“One of the biggest stories of the year was Philip Rivers getting back on the field, it’s unbelievable, and it’s really not over,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said on NFL Gameday Morning.
“Philip Rivers interviewed a few days ago for the Buffalo Bills head coaching job, personally. That’s true, this really happened, and my understanding is that this is being seriously considered.”
The Bills announced Friday that they have interviewed Rivers for their vacancy, and he has been coaching at the high school level since retiring.
PHILIP RIVERS DEBATE ABOUT LAWSUIT RECRUITMENT LAWS SHORTLY AFTER NFL RETURN: REPORT
Rivers served as the football coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama from 2021-24 after a 17-year career with the Chargers organization.
Rapoport added that Rivers “crushed” the interview with the Bills, making him one to watch in the process.
“I know he was a high school coach, but he’s been a head coach and he’s been a great player on every team he’s been on over the last decade,” Rapoport explained. “Philip Rivers has a strong connection with the league of seasoned coaches, guys like that [former Colts and Carolina Panthers coach] Frank Reich is going to be one, guys [San Francisco 49ers assistant] Gus Bradley is another. He could pull an impressive stick. This is definitely something we have to look at.”
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) on the sidelines during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on Dec. 6, 2020. (Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports)
Buffalo continues to look at other candidates, including Jacksonville Jaguars coordinator Grant Udinski, who met with him on Sunday. Another top pick is former New York Giants coach Brian Daboll, who spent years with the Bills under McDermott, working closely with MVP quarterback Josh Allen to develop him into one of the best in the game.
Rivers’ return to the NFL was fun to watch despite going 0-3. He replaces Daniel Jones, who suffered an Achilles injury, playing his first games since the 2020 campaign. He threw four touchdowns and three interceptions in his three starts.
Rivers stayed with the Colts through Week 18, when head coach Shane Steichen allowed rookie Riley Leonard to get his reps if 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 the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on Dec. 14, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
McDermott went 98-50 in his nine years at the helm of the Bills, the second-best NFL team since he began coaching Buffalo in 2017.
The Bills made the postseason eight times during that time, but McDermott was unable to 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.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle.
