"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," Rapoport wrote for NFL.com at the time.

The Colts started rookie Riley Leonard over Rivers, who was ruled inactive, in their final regular season game on January 4. The veteran quarterback went 0-3 in three starts with the Colts in 2025, throwing for 544 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions on 58 of 92 passing.

The Bills announced the firing of former head coach Sean McDermott on Monday (January 19), two days after their AFC Divisional Round loss to the Denver Broncos. McDermott was hired by Buffalo in 2017 and the team has been a perennial contender for the majority of his tenure, making the playoffs eight times in nine seasons and winning the AFC East Division title five consecutive seasons from 2019 to 2024.

The Bills haven't, however, made a Super Bowl appearance in that span, losing twice in the AFC Championship Game, four times in the AFC Divisional Game and twice in the AFC Wild Card Game. Buffalo is also reported former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel -- who accepted the Los Angeles Chargers' offensive coordinator job days prior -- on Friday, as well as Washington Commanders running backs coach Anthony Lynn and Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver on Saturday (January 24) and Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski on Sunday (January 25), the Athletic's Dianna Russini reports.

"Buffalo is making sure their best player, team leader, and face of the franchise is part of the hiring process. Josh Allen will have significant say on the next coach of the Buffalo Bills," Russini wrote on her X account.