Philip Rivers shares surprising detail from Bills head-coaching interview and Josh Allen's role in it

Josh Allen had a significant role in Bills' process

Perhaps the most interesting detail Rivers revealed involved Allen.

Rivers recalled entering an intimidating boardroom filled with Bills decision-makers, including ownership, general manager Brandon Beane and assistant general managers.

Allen was there, too.

"He was obviously in every interview," Rivers said.

That suggests Buffalo gave its franchise quarterback a direct seat at the table while evaluating candidates for the most important coaching position in the organization.

For Rivers, Allen's presence also gave him an opportunity to approach part of the interview from familiar territory.

Despite having never been an NFL head coach, Rivers spent 17 seasons playing quarterback and working directly with coaches. He said he could relate to Allen from a player's perspective while discussing what he had learned from the different head coaches throughout his career.

Rivers believed he could command an NFL locker room

Rivers didn't pretend his lack of NFL coaching experience wasn't a factor.

He acknowledged that he would have needed experienced assistants around him to help with parts of the job he hadn't encountered before.

There was one area, however, where Rivers didn't lack confidence.

"If y'all want to go to the first team meeting, I'm ready right now," Rivers recalled telling Buffalo.

Ultimately, the Bills went with Brady, a decision Rivers appears perfectly comfortable with.

He said Buffalo's program seems to be in "great hands" under Brady and described the entire interview process as an incredible opportunity.

Rivers didn't leave Buffalo with an NFL head-coaching job.

He did leave with four hours of experience inside the room, and his account offered everyone else a rare glimpse at just how seriously the Bills considered one of the more unconventional candidates in their search.