The margin for error in Buffalo’s head coaching search just narrowed, and the Bills responded quickly. Within hours of a high-profile candidate stepping away, the organization made its next move official, timing that spoke volumes. On Monday, January 26, Buffalo confirmed it had completed an interview with Broncos passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach Davis Webb for its vacant head coaching position, formally advancing one of the youngest and most internally connected candidates in the search.

Buffalo’s announcement came shortly after the Denver Broncos were eliminated in the AFC Championship, which cleared Webb for interviews under NFL rules and allowed the Bills to move immediately.  “We have completed an interview with Davis Webb for our head coaching position.”

Webb currently serves as Denver’s passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach. His interview was scheduled immediately after the Broncos’ season ended and concluded earlier Monday.

Webb is not an unfamiliar name inside the building. He spent three seasons with Buffalo from 2019 to 2021 and remains closely connected to Josh Allen, the franchise’s cornerstone. That relationship matters because Allen is reportedly involved in the interview process itself, including sitting in on meetings as the organization searches for the coach who will oversee his prime years.

As a result, Webb’s candidacy is about more than his resume. It reflects a focus on continuity, familiarity, and a shared offensive philosophy with the quarterback at the center of the franchise. Still, the upside comes with risk.

At 31 years old, Webb has never served as a full-time offensive coordinator and has limited play-calling experience outside of preseason action. Hiring him would represent a clear bet on projection rather than a proven track record as a head coach.

Across the league, teams have increasingly empowered franchise quarterbacks in coaching searches, prioritizing alignment and communication over traditional experience. That trend has accelerated the rise of younger, offensive-minded candidates.

Webb fits that profile cleanly. He transitioned directly into coaching after his playing career ended in 2022, joining Sean Payton’s staff in Denver. There, he earned league-wide respect for his preparation habits and his role in the development of rookie quarterback Bo Nix.

The model for hiring a young, offensive-minded coach is clear, and so is the risk. Buffalo would be choosing continuity and rapport with the quarterback over the security of a seasoned head coach with years of play-calling authority.

Philip Rivers formally withdraws from the Buffalo Bills head coach search

Philip Rivers, a surprise candidate, decided to remove himself from consideration, with reports indicating family priorities influenced the decision. His exit followed a brief late-season return to the NFL, when he started three games for the Indianapolis Colts after two years coaching high school football.

While Rivers has not ruled out future professional coaching opportunities, the timing was not right for a role of this magnitude. He has since officially retired as a player and is expected to return to the high school coaching ranks.

For Buffalo, his withdrawal significantly changed the candidate pool. It narrowed the field and subtly shifted leverage toward younger, offense-oriented candidates already embedded in quarterback-centric systems.

The Bills’ search is now moving forward with fewer fallback options and increasing internal pressure. With interviews happening quickly, a decision is approaching. Webb’s completed interview places him firmly in the next phase of consideration, but it does not end the process. Instead, it clarifies the direction.

Buffalo is choosing between experience and alignment, between certainty and continuity. With Josh Allen involved and the offseason clock ticking, the next move will define how the franchise intends to protect its window.