Ryan Clark ‘Loves’ the Idea of Philip Rivers Coaching Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills

Just-retired Philip Rivers surprisingly earned a call to interview for the vacant head coaching position at the Buffalo Bills.

Ryan Clark ‘Loves’ the Idea of Philip Rivers Coaching Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills

Josh Allen, Ryan Clark, and Philip Rivers (Image via Imago/Bleacher Report/X)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

Now that Josh Allen will be one of the interviewers in the Buffalo Bills’ conference room whenever they face a prospective candidate, he will face a former playoff opponent in Philip Rivers as one of them. After initially retiring in 2020 as a member of the Indianapolis Colts, Rivers took the job as the head coach of St. Michael Catholic High School’s football program, where his sons played.

Then he stunned the football world by returning to play for the Colts after they lost Daniel Jones to a season-ending Achilles tendon tear. Now, after retiring for the second time, it was revealed that the father of 10 earned an interview with the Bills for their vacant HC position.

It is not common for NFL teams to hand the job to someone without any experience coaching in college. But for the sake of Josh Allen and his teammates, Ryan Clark thinks it is a good idea.

Forgive me for saying this, I would like Philip Rivers as the head coach of the Buffalo Bills. I’d actually love it. If you are not going to move right to (OC) Joe Brady, I’d rather you go Rivers and step totally away from these recycled failed up head coaches… and step into something new.

Ryan Clark said on First Take

The Super Bowl champion used John Harbaugh‘s example of how one without having experience as a coordinator could be a leader. Unlike the other available candidates, Clark believes Philip Rivers will bring something new to the table.

Philip Rivers earned a call based on his second stint with Colts

Naturally, when Ryan Clark went off in this direction, his First Take colleagues were left stunned. Their facial expressions relayed how they felt about this topic. But then, the former safety detailed what he believes got Philip Rivers the interview.

Philip Rivers could end up coaching Josh Allen
Philip Rivers could end up coaching Josh Allen (Image via Zero Gravity/X)

What Philip Rivers showed us when he stepped on the field for the Colts is, ‘I get it, I understand it, I could figure it out.’… I cared about how I felt motivated, the way I felt led.

Ryan Clark said

Clark believes Rivers proved in this past season that he understands the game very well, even though his performance as a QB was underwhelming. The ESPN analyst further pointed out that the eight-time Pro Bowler probably would have won those three games he played in 2025 as a coach and not the signal caller.

It seems Ryan Clark wants the Buffalo Bills to hand over the reins to Philip Rivers, as he might be the only candidate with the guts to hold Josh Allen and the rest of the players accountable.

Philip Rivers confident he can coach in the NFL

Some believe the Buffalo Bills’ interviewing Philip Rivers for their vacant head coaching position is not a decision they took from a PR standpoint, especially after the disastrous press conference their owner had. Rather, it is because they truly believe the NC State alum is capable of coaching.

I do think, as humbly as I can say it, that I could coach at this level. I know enough about the game and about the guys, and from a leadership standpoint, camaraderie, all that comes with it.

Philip Rivers told James Boyd

This was the former quarterback’s answer when asked if he would entertain the idea of returning to the Indianapolis Colts as a coach in the future.

Rivers reiterated that his current focus is on his son, Gunner, and his high school football team. However, with his decision to fly out to Buffalo, New York, it seems the Alabama native is not willing to let go of this opportunity.

Also Read: