Many in football believe Bill Belichick to be the greatest Head Coach of all time. The whispers have started to increase by the years with doubt of this status, but it’s still a majority opinion. Without Tom Brady, the success thinned out hard over four years. However, you cannot deny the twenty years that came prior with Brady, where Belichick won six Super Bowls.
Fast forward to January 2024, and Belichick is not the Head Coach of any NFL team. After a more than substandard 4-13 campaign in New England, Belichick and Robert Kraft announced what was presented as a “mutual parting of ways”. Many thought that Bill would quickly land on his feet with one of the eight teams looking for a new leader. Instead, every pre-existing vacancy has been filled, with none of them going to the 71 year old.
For a while, Belichick was linked closely to the Atlanta Falcons job, which ended up going to Rams DC and former Falcons staff member Raheem Morris. For one thing, there is the age gap between the two. The Falcons are an up and coming squad still searching for their QB identity, and they felt more inclined to proceed with a Head Coach that is over twenty years younger. The Falcons had met with Belichick multiple times, and it was reported that owner Arthur Blank was enthralled with the possibility.
From what it seems, however, the other members of the Atlanta brass cited their concerns with bringing in Belichick, reportedly “bringing Blank off of the ledge”. From fanbase reactions, Belichick would not have been a popular hire either. Then there was the Commanders opening, seemingly the last feasible spot for Bill after the Atlanta one was closed off. However, the Commanders also went with a younger, defensive-minded Head Coach, as Dan Quinn was chosen for his second trip to the plate as an NFL Head Coach after leading three straight top-5 DVOA defenses in Dallas.
With every team possessing a Head Coach, it is fair to wonder where Belichick’s next stop is. Some have rumored an interest in TV, but that seems the least likely to me. Although, I did see a suggestion of Belichick and recently retired NCAA legend Nick Saban joining up Manningcast style to break down the game they contributed so much to. It has been floated that Belichick could succeed Quinn as the DC in Dallas, but part of Bill’s struggle to get a new HC position seems to be due to his lack of willingness to give up full control.
To me, it seems that Belichick will sit this year out, and try again next year in the Head Coaching carousel. Time isn’t on the side of one of the greatest defensive minds we have ever seen. This time next year, he will be 72 years old. Maybe a team takes a flyer due to the resume and the aforementioned “GOAT” persona. One thing is for certain. Bill Belichick will remain in the football world whether by action or by status of myth. He is a polarizing figure, and it will be interesting to see what B.B’s next move is.
