Philip Rivers, the seasoned quarterback, has emerged as a heartwarming narrative in the NFL this year. He made a comeback with the Colts during the season after nearly five years away from the game.
Even though he’s hung up his cleats, it seems Rivers might be gearing up for another venture in professional football. The Colts, who aren’t vying for playoff contention, started rookie Riley Leonard in their final regular-season game against the Texans.
According to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Rivers, now 44, could be in the mix as a head coaching candidate soon. He mentioned, “I think there’s a strong indication Rivers will have at least one interview opportunity, maybe even more.”
On Sunday, the Giants and Titans were the only teams without head coaches, but more vacancies are likely to appear following the end of the regular season.
The Colts are currently “looking into Rivers as a candidate and making background inquiries,” the report stated.
Interestingly, this was mentioned last year too. However, at that time, Rivers didn’t seem keen on making a return to the NFL. Now, given his recent comeback, his perspective might have shifted.
Although interest from teams should be substantial, it’s still uncertain whether Rivers will actually consider an interview.
Before playing in three games for the Colts last month, Rivers had a thriving coaching career at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama. He took charge of the Cardinals in 2021 and guided them to the state semifinals twice.
The report noted that Rivers’ return to the field “introduced him to a new wave of players and reconnected him with the NFL,” potentially reigniting his interest in coaching.
Rapoport mentioned that Rivers could put together a robust coaching staff, thanks to these renewed connections.
Earlier this week, Rivers appeared on “The Up & Adams Show.” Although he wasn’t directly asked about coaching, he shared some thoughts on possibly pursuing broadcasting. He remarked, “We haven’t dismissed that idea.” He added, “But the opportunities that have come up just didn’t feel like the right fit… as I’ve progressed in this game, the chance to influence the score has been something I cherish.”
He emphasized, “I might be proficient at discussing it, but I don’t influence the game’s outcome.”
Ultimately, only time will reveal whether Rivers will seize the chance to make his mark in the NFL once more.
