Philip Rivers withdraws from Buffalo Bills’ head coach search

It’s been a wild few days for Philip Rivers, who as of Sunday evening was rumored to be a serious contender for the Buffalo Bills’ opening at head coach. Instead, Rivers withdrew his name for consideration early on Monday. With that, the still-unrealized dream of a talented former NFL player void of any professional coaching experience was dead in the water.

Depending on one’s point of view, the idea of Rivers as Buffalo’s next head coach was met either with mockery, shock, or elation. Still, zero experience as an NFL coach is a massive hurdle to overcome, field general or otherwise.

Despite Rivers withdrawing his name in this regard, it’s possible the Bills and Rivers aren’t through talking. Some have wondered if there’s a path for Rivers to enter the professional teaching/leadership ranks as a quarterbacks coach with Buffalo.

Rivers is currently the head football coach for St. Michael Catholic High School. He played 18 years in the NFL (16 years with SD/LA Chargers, 2 years with Indianapolis Colts), which was bridged by his initial retirement following the 2020 NFL season playoffs. After a five-year layoff, Rivers returned to a starting quarterback role with the Colts late during the 2025 NFL season. Now 44 years old, Rivers again retired following the Colts’ regular-season finish.