One of the best players in NFL history won't coach Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills next season.
The Buffalo Bills need a new head coach after parting ways with Sean McDermott.
One of the best players in NFL history won't be taking the job.
According to ESPN, NFL legend Philip Rivers has withdrawn from the Bills' coaching search. The 44-year-old was interviewed by Buffalo last week in Florida, but Rivers has pulled his name from contention for the job opening.
It would have certainly been fun to watch Rivers coach Josh Allen, who is taking part in the Bills' interview process being led by general manager Brandon Beane and owner Terry Pegula. Rivers and Allen have a close relationship.
A future Hall of Famer, Rivers came out of retirement as a player last month and started three games for the Indianapolis Colts. He threw for 544 yards and four touchdowns while completing 63.0% of his passes.
Rivers played for the Chargers and Colts. He finished his career with 63,984 passing yards and 425 passing touchdowns. The North Carolina State product made eight Pro Bowls with the Chargers.
The Bills interviewed Denver Broncos pass game coordinator Davis Webb on Monday. They are also considering Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski.
Buffalo lost to Denver in the Divisional Round of the 2026 NFL playoffs. Allen is one of the best QBs in the league, but he still hasn't been to the Super Bowl.
McDermott went 98-50 in the regular season and 8-8 in the playoffs with Buffalo. He was hired by the franchise in 2017.
The Bills finished below .500 only once under McDermott. The 51-year-old is not expected to coach during the 2026 season.
After he was fired by the Bills, McDermottreleased a classy statement.
“For nearly a decade, I have had the opportunity to wake up every morning as the head coach of the Buffalo Bills, which has truly been a gift,” McDermott wrote. “I want to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Pegula family, the Buffalo Bills organization and to the fans for allowing me to live out the dream of being a head coach in the NFL in this incredibly special place.
“I am proud and humbled to have worked alongside amazing staff and players as we shared life together and poured out our hearts and souls into both winning football games and making a positive impact in our community. This community graciously embraced not only me, but my family, and in some ways, helped raise our children over the last nine years. For that, I say thank you to all of the teachers, coaches and friends who we met along the way. The City of Good Neighbors! We love you! We will miss Buffalo.
“Bills Mafia, you are one of one! It has been a joy and inspiration to witness your passion and commitment firsthand. I always wanted our teams to play with the same level of toughness and grit that is true to Buffalo and that you demonstrate every day!
“God gave me and my family an incredible opportunity, one that we will cherish for the rest of our lives. Yet, we know that HE has a plan. Thank you for allowing me to serve as your head coach.”
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