What was once thought to be a open and shut career has turned into one of the most intriguing stories of the year in the NFL.
Former Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers has gone from making a stunning return to the NFL at 44 years old to interviewing for one of the NFL’s most highly coveted head coaching positions. While multiple teams are interested in Rivers’ services, the Bills may be the most intriguing not just for their pedigree, but because of Rivers’ limited experience.
Rivers has only ever coached at the high school level, currently at St Michael Catholic High School in Alabama for almost five years.
Chargers fans may only take a mild interest in this development as the Bills are casting a wide net in their search for a new head coach. They have already interviewed their current offensive coordinator Joe Brady, former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, and are still yet to interview both Anthony Lynn and Anthony Weaver. Still, no one could have expected Rivers to get an interview this soon.
From Friday Night Lights to NFL Spotlights
After all, it was just mere weeks ago the NFL was stunned about the news Rivers had signed with the Indianapolis Colts after Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. He played in three games with the Colts, all losses, missing the playoffs after they had started the season with Jones with a record of 7-1.
Most importantly, Chargers fans were most stunned that Rivers would forgo his eligibility for the Hall of Fame by returning to the NFL ranks. After all, he had built a prolific career with the Chargers over 16 years in the league.
Drafted fourth overall by the Chargers, Rivers played in 247 regular season games. During that time, he completed over 5,000 passes for over over 63,000 yards and 425 passing touchdowns. Most impressively, he recorded a career 95.0 overall passer rating.
He has also made eight Pro Bowls, led several top five offenses, and ranks among the all time leaders inNFL history in passing yards and touchdown passes.
Leadership vs. Experience in Buffalo’s Coaching Gamble
Despite his impressive on-field resume for the Chargers as a cerebral field general, he may not be the best head coaching candidate for the Bills with such limited experience. However, several pundits, such as ESPN’s Ian Rapoport, think otherwise. Rapoport wrote on Rivers, “Buffalo has been looking for a leader. Hard to imagine a better one.” Buffalo fans would like to hope that should Rivers be the guy, he can prove himself to be that positive locker room presence.
What with the unpredictability of the NFL, as rumors come and go by the day, the legitimacy of Rivers’ candidacy will come dow to Buffalo’s needs. Rivers may not have the off-field resumes of other guys competing for the job, but he does have an understanding of what it takes to lead a team.
Leading an NFL offense may not quite be the same as the rigors of coaching in an NFL game, but if there’s anyone who cam make that crossover it’s Rivers.
Former Chargers QB Interviews for Bills’ HC Job