After coming out retirement to play three games at the quarterback position, Philip Rivers reportedly is throwing his hat toward one of the NFL’s vacant head-coaching jobs.
Multiple media outlets reported Rivers is interviewing for the Buffalo Bills’ opening on Friday.
Rivers is not alone. Former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel also is meeting with the Bills on Friday, per The Athletic, with the expectation that he will become the offensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Chargers if he is not hired for any of the league’s available top jobs.
Rivers, 44, has been the head coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Ala., since he announced his initial retirement from the NFL after the 2020 season.
NFL Network reported Rivers and Buffalo star quarterback Josh Allen have a strong friendship. Bills owner Terry Pegula noted this week that Allen will be involved in the coaching search on the heels of Sean McDermott’s firing.
Rivers came out of retirement last month after the Indianapolis Colts lost starting quarterback Daniel Jones to a season-ending injury. He made three starts — all losses — and was quick to note that he was returning to coach at the Alabama school where his son, Gunner, will be the senior quarterback in the fall.
Rivers was a Pro Football Hall of Fame semifinalist prior to embarking on the comeback. His candidacy now resets and he will next be eligible for induction in 2031 due to the five-year waiting period after retirement.
He spent 16 seasons with the Chargers (13 in San Diego, three in Los Angeles) and one season (2020) with the Colts before his initial retirement.
Rivers ranks sixth all-time in passing TDs (425) and eighth in passing yards (63,984) in NFL history.
