Philip Rivers, who came out of retirement last month in an attempt to quarterback the Indianapolis Colts into the playoffs, is considering a second dramatic career shift: becoming an NFL head coach.

Just weeks after starting three games for the Colts and then retiring again, Rivers interviewed for the Buffalo Bills’ head-coaching job Friday, the team announced.

Rivers, the head coach at St. Michael Catholic High in Fairhope, Ala., since 2021, had expressed interest in NFL coaching jobs after his comeback ended, saying, “Those are all big ‘What ifs,’ but I do think, as humbly as I can say it, that I can coach at this level. I know enough about the game, about the guys from a leadership standpoint, camaraderie — all that comes with it.”

His high school team, led by his son Gunner, began the 2025 campaign 13-0 before losing in the state semifinals.

#Colts QB Philip Rivers (retired) on coaching in the NFL:

“There’s nothing of concrete with that. … This past month has taught me, you’re open to obviously anything, I guess.”

Plans on coaching HS but: “It’s nothing that I would shut down before it even became a possibility.” pic.twitter.com/j5VsNfg2PN

— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) January 5, 2026

“I’m looking forward to going back home and getting back with those guys, getting back with my family,” Rivers said at the end of the Colts’ season. “Gunner’s senior season (is) coming up, and we’ve been to back-to-back semifinals, and hopefully we can get over the hump this year. So, I don’t have any of those (NFL) things on my radar, but certainly nothing that I would shut down before it even became a possibility.”

Rivers does not have any college or NFL coaching experience, but as a player, he was widely considered one of the best offensive minds of his era. The 2004 No. 4 pick spent the first 16 years of his career with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers and the last two with the Colts. Rivers is the Chargers’ career leader in passing touchdowns (397) and passing yards (59,271). An eight-time Pro Bowler, Rivers also ranks sixth and eighth in passing TDs (425) and passing yards (63,984), respectively, in NFL history.

Rivers was a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2026 class. However, since the 44-year-old joined the Colts’ active roster this season, his nearly five-year retirement officially ended. Now, he must wait another five years to be reconsidered for Hall of Fame induction in 2031. Fortunately for Rivers, those same retirement rules don’t apply to coaching.

Jeff Saturday was the last former NFL player to become an NFL head coach with no college or NFL coaching experience. A four-time All-Pro center with the Colts, Saturday was hired as the Colts’ interim coach in 2022 after they fired Frank Reich midseason. Saturday won his first game but lost his last seven, including a road loss to the Minnesota Vikings in which Indianapolis blew the largest lead in NFL history (33 points). The Colts interviewed Saturday for their permanent head-coaching job after the season, but they ultimately hired Shane Steichen in February 2023.

We have completed an interview with Philip Rivers for our head coaching position.

📰: https://t.co/1vTvKN2WhM pic.twitter.com/GYlk1BH9qD

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) January 23, 2026

Bills decision-makers have been busy since firing Sean McDermott on Monday after nine seasons and eight trips to the playoffs. His dismissal came on the heels of a 33-30 overtime loss in the divisional round to the Denver Broncos, which left quarterback Josh Allen in tears. Buffalo owner Terry Pegula cited Allen’s and the team’s reaction to the loss as one of the reasons for firing McDermott.

On Wednesday, the Bills completed an in-house interview with their offensive coordinator, Joe Brady. The next day, they interviewed former New York Giants coach Brian Daboll — who previously worked as the Bills’ offensive coordinator — and Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.

Bills decision-makers then flew to Florida to meet with former Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel on Friday. They have also scheduled interviews in Florida with Washington Commanders run game coordinator Anthony Lynn and Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver on Saturday, and with Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski on Sunday.

Allen has been sitting in on all the interviews and joined the team contingent in Florida, according to a team source.