Legendary NFL quarterback Philip Rivers has decided to withdraw from the race to become the next head coach of the Buffalo Bills.
The 44-year-old grandfather, who made a remarkable comeback for the Indianapolis Colts this season, was a shock interview candidate for the team last week.
But now he has withdrawn from consideration with NFL insider Mike Garafolo revealing Rivers thinks the timing isn’t right.
Buffalo fired long-term head coach Sean McDermott just days after the team was bounced from the playoffs in a heartbreaking overtime defeat to the Denver Broncos.
The team has been looking several candidates to fill the vacancy and it appeared as though Rivers was a legitimate option, despite never having coached above high school level.
Rivers is close to Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who is said to be sitting in on head coach interviews alongside the general manager Brandon Beane this week.
Philip Rivers has withdrawn from the race to become the next head coach of the Buffalo Bills
Rivers is close to Bills star Josh Allen, who is said to be sitting in on head coach interviews
The Rivers family pictured on a family vacation, at a time when they had eight children
Rivers and his wife Tiffany have 10 children together, with their eldest born in 2002 and their youngest just three years ago.
He got emotional on the podium on regular occasions during his three-game spell back in the NFL, as he opened up on the privilege of returning to the field and his bid to inspire his children and the kids he coaches.
During his NFL career, Rivers was an eight-time Pro Bowler, and he earned the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award in 2013.
He was selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft by the New York Giants, who traded him to the then-San Diego Chargers.
He moved with the team to Los Angeles in 2017 and was then traded to the Colts in March 2020, signing a one-year, $25 million deal.
In January 2021, he announced the end of his 17-year NFL career and soon became a high school football coach with St Michael Catholic, where he remains today.
