Philip Rivers did well in his recent head coaching interview with the Bills. It’ll not end in him being hired, nevertheless.
The longtime NFL quarterback has withdrawn from consideration in Buffalo’s search, as first reported by Dianna Russini of The Athletic. As recently as yesterday, the Bills were reported to be giving “serious consideration” to a Rivers hire despite his lack of coaching experience. As a substitute, each parties will move in a distinct direction.
Once the regular season ended, Rivers confirmed his three-game cameo with the Colts late within the yr represented his final motion as a player. The potential for head coaching interest was immediately raised, although Buffalo is the one team which has interviewed him to date. Provided that is still the case, Rivers will likely return to coaching his eldest son’s highschool team for the 2026 season.
The 44-year-old has coached at the highschool level for 4 years. He has never held a position on any NCAA or NFL staff, something which might have made a head coaching hire a somewhat noteworthy one. Rivers’ football IQ and leadership qualities played a key role in his success as a player, and so they could easily translate into a training profession. Interest in his case during future hiring cycles will probably be something to look at for.
The Bills, meanwhile, will proceed with their seek for Sean McDermott‘s substitute. Various outside candidates have spoken with the team to date, while offensive coordinator Joe Brady looms as an choice to be promoted to move coach. Buffalo was linked yesterday to interest in Davis Webb, who’s currently in place with the Broncos but spent a part of his playing profession as a teammate of Josh Allen with the Bills.
Webb immediately turned his attention to coaching once his playing profession ended following the 2022 season. He was a member of Sean Payton‘s initial Broncos staff in 2023, serving because the team’s quarterbacks coach. In 2025, the 31-year-old had pass-game coordinator added to his title. With the Broncos’ season having ended yesterday, Webb and his colleagues are free to talk with interested teams because the HC carousel continues to spin. Per Russini, Webb will indeed meet with the Bills this morning.
Within the wake of today’s updates, here is where the Bills now stand:
- Lou Anarumo, defensive coordinator (Colts): Interviewed 1/22
- Joe Brady, offensive coordinator (Bills): Interviewed 1/21
- Brian Daboll, former head coach (Giants): Interviewed 1/22; prefers Buffalo gig
- Klint Kubiak, offensive coordinator (Seahawks): Rumored candidate
- Anthony Lynn, run-game coordinator (Commanders): Interviewed 1/24
- Mike McDaniel, former head coach (Dolphins): To interview 1/23; withdrew from search
- Philip Rivers, former NFL quarterback: Interviewed 1/23; withdrew from search
- Grant Udinski, offensive coordinator (Jaguars): Interviewed 1/25
- Anthony Weaver, defensive coordinator (Dolphins): Interviewed 1/24
- Davis Webb, quarterbacks coach (Broncos): To interview 1/26