The Buffalo Bills have lined up a pair of shocking candidates to interview for their head coaching vacancy.
After firing Sean McDermott on Monday after the team’s heartbreaking and controversial playoff loss to the Denver Broncos, Buffalo is reportedly conducting interviews with Philip Rivers and Mike McDaniel on Friday to fill the role.
Rivers came out of retirement after five years on the sidelines to play for the Indianapolis Colts late this season after starting quarterback Daniel Jones went down with a torn Achilles.
Rivers, a 44-year-old father of 10 and grandfather of one, played three games for the Colts, going 0-3 despite putting up a valiant effort in each game.
Since his first retirement after the 2020 season, Rivers had been coaching high school football in Alabama.
Rivers had been a semifinalist for induction into the Football Hall of Fame this year, but had the clock on his eligibility reset when he signed with the Colts.
McDaniel already has a new job
Meanwhile, McDaniel — who was fired as head coach of the Miami Dolphins earlier this month after four seasons — also had an interview slated with the team.
This is a shocking move considering that earlier this week, he reportedly agreed to become the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers.
It also comes after reports that McDaniel cancelled his interview with the Cleveland Browns regarding their head coaching job to work under Jim Harbaugh in L.A. with QB Justin Herbert.
According to reports, if McDaniel doesn’t get the job in Buffalo he would honour the Chargers contract.
The Minnesota Vikings came to a similar agreement with defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who signed an extension with the team contingent on him not landing a job as head coach elsewhere.
Which jobs are still open?
Of the 10 head coaching vacancies to open up this offseason, five have been filled so far as of Friday morning – the Giants, Titans, Dolphins, Falcons and Ravens.
Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Las Vegas, Cleveland and Arizona remain on the lookout for their new head coach.
Former Giants coach and Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll interviewed for the Buffalo job earlier this week, as did current Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady.
During his four seasons in Miami, McDaniel went 35-33 in the regular season and made the playoffs twice, losing both games.
He is seen as an offensive guru and put together the No. 2 attack in the NFL in 2023 as the Dolphins scored 496 points that season.