Overview
- Brandon Beane told The Buffalo News that Rivers "blew them away" in the interview and would have been in the final mix with full commitment.
- Rivers later called to withdraw, telling Beane he could not be 100 percent due to the job's demands and family considerations.
- The 44-year-old met the Bills within a day of the invitation and won over staff who initially viewed the candidacy as outside the box.
- Buffalo completed the search by elevating offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach to preserve continuity with quarterback Josh Allen.
- Rivers returns to retirement after a brief Colts stint, which resets his Pro Football Hall of Fame eligibility clock for five years.