If New York Jets fans were upset over the team’s lack of stable answers for their defensive coordinator position, that frustration pales in comparison to what is going on in Western New York.
New York’s arch-rival, the Buffalo Bills, is searching for a new head coach this offseason following the team’s dismissal of Sean McDermott after 98 wins in nine seasons.
The search for a new coach in Buffalo was supposed to go far smoother than the one the Jets underwent last season. They have an MVP quarterback on the roster and a quality roster around him that is ready to make the playoffs right away.
Only the top coaching candidates in the cycle should seemingly be considered for the Bills. That hasn’t happened yet, though.
Buffalo’s latest interview takes the cake. It’s not just because the team interviewed someone with no NFL coaching experience; he also took snaps in the 2025 season.
Bills’ latest interview draws Jets jokes
For Jets fans who believed their coaching search in 2025 bordered on the bizarre, the Bills are rewriting what that word can mean. Buffalo interviewed former Pro Bowl quarterback and high school head coach Phillip Rivers for their head coaching role on Friday.
Yes, that Phillip Rivers. The one who holds every Los Angeles Chargers passing record and came back from retirement this season to try and save the Indianapolis Colts’ season.
Rivers’ only experience as a head coach is at the high school level. Yet his playing career was deemed worthy enough for the Bills to try and interview him for the top job.
It’s the kind of decision that makes the Jets’ search in 2025 look strong.
Of course, Buffalo’s head coaching job may not be as attractive as many originally thought. Former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, a popular name in league circles, opted out of the interview process for the role. There are a number of reasons why that could be the case, though, and Buffalo’s cold weather certainly plays a part.
The last time an NFL organization hired a coach with no head-coaching experience in the college or pro ranks was the Colts, who hired Jeff Saturday on an interim basis in 2022. That certainly didn’t work out for them as Saturday led the team to a 1-7 finish to end the year. They have hovered around .500 ever since.
The interview of Rivers in Buffalo should be highly criticized across league circles, regardless of how storied a career the quarterback once had. There are plenty of competent coaches who would kill for an opportunity like Buffalo is offering, who have done the work around the league.
For a former quarterback to skip the line due to his name is simply wrong. It’s embarrassing for the Bills to even consider him.
Buffalo may not hire Rivers. They might find the perfect coach who can finally get them over the hump in the AFC. But if the Jets were to do what the Bills just did, they would be crucified around the league a million times over.
Analysts wouldn’t resist the chance to get their digs on the Jets.
So why is it okay for the Bills to do it? Do they receive extra protection because of Josh Allen?
Either way, it’s unacceptable.
