There have been several surprises during the coaching window over the last three weeks. Who would have thought in November that Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Buffalo would all be looking for head coaches?
Who would have thought in November that the words Philip Rivers, returns, and starting quarterback would all be in the same sentence in 2025? Not even Las Vegas saw it coming.
After all of that, it comes as no surprise that Philip Rivers and a head-coaching interview are now being mentioned together a month later.
After going 0–3 in his return with the Indianapolis Colts and speaking to the media as the season was coming to an end, Rivers was asked about the possibility of coaching.
Rivers did what he has always done best — answered truthfully.
“I do think, as humbly as I can say it, that I could coach at this level,” Rivers said. “I know enough about the game and about the guys, and from a leadership standpoint, camaraderie, all that comes with it. But, again, that’s not something that I’m sitting here pursuing. If anything I learned the last four weeks, it’s take it one day at a time. Because there was a Sunday afternoon, I had no thought of being in Indianapolis the next day. Then, 24 hours later, I was here.”
Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Jan 4, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) with quarterback Riley Leonard (15) on the sidelines during the second half against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.
It was reported Friday morning that Rivers interviewed for the Buffalo Bills head-coaching job later that afternoon with Bills brass and quarterback Josh Allen.
Rivers has worked with quarterbacks in the past, particularly leading up to the NFL Draft. In 2018, he worked out with Allen prior to the draft, giving him an early look at what the young quarterback had before the NFL world saw it.
Allen is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the NFL but has yet to get over the hump. He has suffered seven playoff losses, with four of them coming at the hands of Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Rivers suffered the same number of playoff losses, seven, with three of them coming against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.
Allen could benefit from Rivers’ experience both playing and coaching the game, even if that coaching has come at the high school level. It would mark the first time Allen has an offensive-minded head coach, someone who could help him refine different aspects of his game. The 44-year-old also has an extensive network of coaches and former teammates he could tap into to help build his staff.
That remains unknown, but this presents a valuable opportunity for him to begin interviewing and gain experience with the NFL hiring process.
Former Bills receiver and former Chargers teammate Stevie Johnson believes Rivers is the perfect man for the job.
“If El Capitan (Rivers) is coaching Josh 🚀,” Johnson said via text. “That’s exactly what he needs.”
The bigger question is whether Rivers wants the job.
Rivers is currently the head coach of St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama, where his son Gunner is the starting quarterback heading into his senior year.
If Rivers wants to be an NFL head coach in the future, that opportunity will likely come. For now, however, it would be difficult for him to pass up one final season coaching Gunner. He also has a second son, Peter, who is 14 years old and will be attending St. Michael Catholic next year.
There is a lot to consider from both sides.
According to multiple reports, the leading candidates for the Bills job are Brian Daboll, Joe Brady, and Davis Webb. Daboll is the betting favorite at +150, according to BetOnline, with Rivers close behind at +200.
This interview is believed to be the first of many Rivers will have for future coaching opportunities. He wore a headset during the final game of the season against the Houston Texans and has continued to do so since retiring from the NFL the first time.
Since announcing his return to NFL life, a small spotlight now shines on Rivers, one focused not on when he might return to the league as a player, but when he might return with a headset on full time.