Philip Rivers makes huge Bills decision after head-coaching interview

As of early Monday morning, there seemed to be a legitimate chance that the Buffalo Bills would hire Philip Rivers as their next head coach after they interviewed the longtime NFL quarterback this past Friday. 

It appears Rivers has since had second thoughts about remaining an active member of the league. 

Why Philip Rivers won't be next head coach of the Buffalo Bills

On Monday morning, Dianna Russini of The Athletic and NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported that Rivers has withdrawn from the Bills' coaching search. According to Kevin Patra of the NFL's website, Garafolo noted "that now just isn't the right time for Rivers and his family" regarding the 44-year-old's former interest in the Buffalo gig. 

A Sunday update revealed that Rivers "crushed" his interview with the Bills and was seen as a "serious" candidate even though he has never coached at the collegiate or professional level. Following his first retirement in January 2021, Rivers spent time working as a high-school head coach. 

While Rivers shockingly returned to play for the Indianapolis Colts late this season, he said earlier in January he planned to coach his sons and get "that St. Michael football team ready to go" this coming fall. 

Speaking with Philip Rivers could still prove to benefit Josh Allen

NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated shared that Rivers and Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen are close because the two share an agent and because "Allen worked with Rivers, both in the classroom and on the field, in spurts ahead of the 2018 draft." Meanwhile, Sal Maiorana of the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle mentioned on Friday that the Bills' team ownership and Allen may simply have wanted to tap "into Rivers’ vast knowledge of offense at the NFL level" and ask him "for ideas on how to get the very best out of Allen and the rest of the Bills’ offense." 

Allen has been "sitting in for everything" during meetings with coaching candidates and is expected to "have significant say" on the Bills' next coach. That coach won't be Rivers, who instead will resume his duties with St. Michael Catholic High School in Alabama as a former player.