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Phillip Rivers will return to Indianapolis after being retired for five years
The most intriguing story to emerge since the Buffalo Bills fired long-time head coach Sean McDermott on Monday morning is the team’s decision to give veteran quarterback Philip Rivers a head coaching interview.
Rivers has been coaching a high school football team in Alabama since his initial retirement from the NFL four years ago.
However, that is where his coaching experience starts and ends.
The decision seemingly came out of nowhere, but now, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport says there is a very real chance that the former quarterback could be the next guy.
“The chances that Philip Rivers could be the next head coach of the Buffalo Bills are not zero,” Rapoport said. “This is real. And yes, it would be absolutely spectacular for so many of us to have Philip Rivers back in the NFL again and in a prominent role.”
Rapoport then said that, according to his sources, several teams around the NFL began researching him as a head coach candidate immediately following his second stint in the league this December.
“The next chapter actually started as soon as his playing career was officially over,” Rapoport continued. “My understanding was teams began researching Philip Rivers in late December or early January.
“And it was the Buffalo Bills who have taken the lead and brought him in for an interview.”
Philip Rivers’ Relationship With Josh Allen Plays A Role
Owner Terry Pegula has already said that quarterback Josh Allen is going to have a prominent role in selecting the franchise’s next head coach.
Allen was a vocal supporter of Rivers when the veteran announced he would be coming out of retirement.
Rapoport’s sources tell him that the two share a relationship, and that could have played a part in Rivers landing the interview.
“The relationship with Josh Allen is strong; that makes sense,” Rapoport said. “The Buffalo Bills are looking for a leader, someone to galvanize this team and get them over the hump and deep into the playoffs — deeper than they got with Sean McDermott — it’s hard to find a better leader than Philip Rivers.
“Yes, he has only been a coach of a high school football team, but a lot of the skills translate. This is absolutely something to watch for the Buffalo Bills moving forward.”
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