Philip Rivers as an NFL head coach? Why Colts QB has suddenly emerged as 2026 candidate

Billy Heyen

•
Philip Rivers as an NFL head coach? Why Colts QB has suddenly emerged as 2026 candidate image

Philip Rivers is working on having quite the unique NFL timeline.

He just came out of retirement at age 44 after five years away to start three games at quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts.

And now? 

He's a head coaching candidate.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported on Sunday that Rivers may get interviews in this cycle of coaching openings.

MORE: Breaking down what NFL games matter today

Is someone going to hire Philip Rivers as an NFL head coach?

It's possible Rivers is a head coach as soon as this cycle, based on Rapoport's report.

"Several sources say Rivers could end up as a head coach candidate this cycle and the current belief is that Rivers gets at least one opportunity to interview, possibly more," Rapoport writes. "Only two teams currently have head coach openings -- the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans -- though that number is expected to grow after Sunday. Sources say that teams have been doing research on Rivers as a candidate and making background calls. That happened last year, as well. Rivers previously has never been willing to engage -- not with college or NFL teams -- but his dramatic return to the NFL in December might have sparked his interest."

Rivers has been coaching at St. Michael Catholic in Alabama during his retirement, twice going to the state semifinals.

There's one thing about that that could delay a Rivers coaching stint in the NFL. His son, Gunner is his quarterback at St. Michael's. And Gunner has a year left to play in high school.

But it appears that Rivers may want to coach, or this wouldn't be a rumor in the first place. So it's something to keep an eye on, for sure.

More NFL news:

Contributing Writer