The Bill Belichick era is over in New England. The Patriots parted ways with the 71-year-old coaching legend on Jan. 11, ending a 24-year tenure that produced one of the NFL’s great dynasties.
Belichick leaves behind a storied legacy in New England. The Patriots won six championships and nine AFC titles during his run, all of which came with Tom Brady at quarterback. That stretch included 19 consecutive winning seasons and a record 30 playoff victories.
Yet while Belichick’s time with the Patriots is done, his days on an NFL sideline might not be. Will his coaching career continue?
MORE: What’s next for Bill Belichick?
Here are the latest rumors surrounding Belichick’s coaching future after his Patriots exit.
Bill Belichick coaching rumors
Belichick could land TV job, could return to coaching in 2025
Date: Saturday, Jan. 27
Belichick appears likely to be without a future coaching destination in 2024. But don’t expect him to be calling it a career after missing out on this coaching cycle.
The legendary coach could be headed for a stint as a network analyst, according to CBS Sports, with one source saying, “every network would want him.” The belief is that he would be better in a studio rather than in a broadcast booth.
Belichick could then eye a return to coaching in 2025, the report states, though noting he will likely be picky about his destination.
“He was going to be picky anyway,” a source familiar with Belichick told CBS Sports. “He needs someone to give him total control.”
Report: Belichick’s demands for personnel control a roadblock for interested teams
Date: Friday, Jan, 26
With Belichick now seemingly unlikely to land a head coaching gig, reports are indicating why he and the Falcons weren’t a match.
Meetings with owner Arthur Blank “crystalized Belichick’s continued belief that the full scope of football operations, personnel and coaching should be under his decision-making umbrella,” according to Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson.
While Belichick had that control in New England, that kind of structure is increasingly rare in today’s NFL. Belichick’s personnel track record was also not very strong over his final few years with the franchise.
Robinson reports Belichick and Blank “never discussed a detailed plan of how a linear chain of command” would work if the Patriots legend was hired, but the team knew “realignment” would likely have to take place if he was brought on.
‘Internal persuasion, impressive interviews’ turned Falcons’ search away from Belichick
Date: Thursday, Jan, 25
Falcons owner Arthur Blank was targeting Belichick when the franchise’s coaching search began, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, but “internal persuasion” and strong interviews by other candidates turned the search in a different direction.
There are layers to the hiring in Atlanta. Arthur Blank was targeting the greatest coach of all time from the start.
He was then open to listening to others ideas. Some internal persuasion, impressive interviews, and here we are.
Belichick is unemployed. Raheem gets his shot.— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 25, 2024
The Falcons announced the hire of Raheem Morris on Thursday night, ending a wide-ranging search that initially looked like Belichick’s to lose.
Falcons planning to hire Raheem Morris, not Bill Belichick
Date: Thursday, Jan. 25
Just a week ago, Belichick to the Falcons seemed like a done deal. But how a week can change things.
The Falcons are electing to go in a different direction than the legendary former Patriots head coach. Instead of Belichick, Atlanta is planning to hire Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris as Arthur Smith’s replacement, according to multiple sources.
Belichick ‘not the favorite’ to land the Falcons coaching job
Date: Thursday, Jan. 25
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on “Get Up” that Atlanta “doesn’t sound like a team that’s ready to make a move on Bill Belichick” at this point during their coaching search.
“If it’s wide open after you’ve met with Bill Belichick twice, that certainly tells you that he’s not the favorite for the job,” Schefter said while discussing the Falcons.
After interviewing twice, Bill Belichick is not the favorite for the Atlanta Falcons job, says Adam Schefter
VIDEOpic.twitter.com/dlH3bfPz3c
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) January 25, 2024
Schefter went on to note that the NFL’s coaching carousel “moves in funny patterns sometimes,” so Belichick can’t be ruled out of the Falcons’ race just yet.
That said, if Belichick doesn’t get the Atlanta gig, it puts him in a precarious position if he is hoping to coach during the 2024 NFL season.
“He has not talked to any of the other three teams,” Schefter said of Belichick. “So of the four teams with the remaining openings, there’s a real possibility that he’s not going to get any of these head coaching jobs.”
It remains to be seen what Belichick will do if he doesn’t land a coaching job. It’s hard to imagine him working as a coordinator, but he could consider doing that or taking on some TV work as he waits for the right opportunity to open up.
Falcons the only team ‘engaged in heavy conversation’ with Belichick
Date: Monday, Jan. 22
ESPN’s Adam Schefter was asked about the courtship of Belichick on The Pat McAfee Show. The insider noted that the only known interest in Belichick is the Falcons.
“So far, that’s the only team that has engaged in heavy conversation [with Bill Belichick],” Schefter said. “They’ve met with him twice. We know that, right? There might be more talking to him but we don’t know of anybody just yet.”
MORE: Why the Patriots moved on from Bill Belichick
Schefter also cautioned that the Falcons’ coaching search is still wide open, so there is plenty to work out in Atlanta. Still, the Falcons are looking like a fit for Belichick should the veteran coach be interested in teaming up with Arthur Blank, Terry Fontenot and Co.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank ‘desperately’ want to hire Belichick
Date: Monday, Jan. 22
CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports that a source told him that Falcons owner Arthur Blank wants to hire Belichick but “50/50 right now that [Belichick] takes the job.”
The Falcons have interviewed numerous candidates for their head coaching job, including Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh and former Titans coach Mike Vrabel. That said, it appears that Belichick has the inside track to be Atlanta’s next head coach. It’s just a matter of whether he wants the job.
Falcons’ coaching search remains ‘wide open’ after Belichick interviews
Date: Sunday, Jan. 21
The Falcons’ coaching search remains “wide open,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday, even after Belichick’s second meeting with the team on Friday.
The Falcons are interviewing Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik on Sunday, and they are meeting with former Titans coach Mike Vrabel and Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh this week, Schefter reported. The team also has interviewed Bills interim offensive coordinator Joe Brady and Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, among other candidates.
Belichick set to have second meeting with Falcons
Date: Thursday, Jan. 18
Belichick to the Falcons has been a hot topic as the NFL offseason begins, and things are starting to pick up
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Thursday that Belichick and Atlanta are set to have a second meeting this upcoming weekend. Belichick previously met with Arthur Blank earlier in the week, as the two sides continue to have interest.
Belichick, Falcons have official meeting as there is ‘mutual interest’
Date: Monday, Jan. 15
The Falcons officially announced on Monday that the team had completed an interview with Belichick for the head coaching opening.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that Bill Belichick and Falcons owner Arthur Blank met in person “recently” to discuss the open spot on the Atlanta staff. He also said that the conversations are ongoing and nothing official has been made, however there is “mutual interest” between the two parties. The two sides have been tied together for quite some time.
Legendary coach Bill Belichick and #Falcons owner Arthur Blank met in person recently to discuss Atlanta’s head coaching job, per sources.
No deal is imminent. But there is mutual interest and conversations are ongoing. pic.twitter.com/Lcnpemj4bZ
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 16, 2024
Rob Gronkowski hearing Falcons ‘coming in hot’ for Belichick
Date: Sunday, Jan. 14
Former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski said on Fox’s pregame coverage that he doesn’t expect Belichick to be on the open market for long. Gronkowski said he’s heard “on the streets” that the Falcons are targeting Belichick, backing up reports from earlier in the week.
“Don’t expect Coach Belichick to be done from here on out. He’s coming back with vengeance. And I’ve been hearing on the streets the Atlanta Falcons are coming in hot for Coach Belichick.”@RobGronkowski shares his thoughts on what’s next for Bill Belichick ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/S9BgqAv1lY
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 14, 2024
Meanwhile, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said Belichick and other coaching candidates might be waiting to see whether any playoff teams have a vacancy open up before deciding their next moves.
Panthers, Falcons seen as two ‘strong options’ for Belichick
Date: Friday, Jan. 12
The Falcons have long been viewed as one of the top teams in the mix for Belichick. But according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapaport, they’re not the only NFC South team interested in the future Hall of Famer. The Panthers reportedly looked into Belichick before the start of the 2023 season and before hiring Frank Reich. And Rapaport noted Carolina’s opening at coach and general manager could allow Belichick to continue to handle plays and personnel.
Could Bill Belichick land in the NFC South? The #Panthers and #Falcons are two potential landing spots for the greatest coach ever. pic.twitter.com/SBrAxgBjQy
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 12, 2024
There are other places that have open general manager spots like the Chargers, Commanders and Raiders. However, Rapaport said he would be surprised if those teams decided to bring in Belichick. The Panthers and Falcons he described as “at least two potentially strong options” for Belichick.
Commanders reportedly not interested in Belichick
Date: Thursday, Jan. 11
While reports indicate multiple teams might be interested in Belichick’s services, the Commanders aren’t one of them, per NBC Sports’ JP Finlay. Belichick’s exit from New England hasn’t altered Washington’s plans, which don’t include the 71-year-old, Finlay reported.
As Josh Harris and the Commanders search team continue to work on the new operation, source tells me that Bill Belichick now truly available doesn’t change things. He’s not expected to be in Commanders plans.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 11, 2024
The Commanders have narrowed their search for a head of football operations down to two candidates, so they appear to be moving quickly to find their new regime after firing head coach Ron Rivera on Monday.
Falcons’ interest in Belichick dates back ‘weeks’
Date: Thursday, Jan. 11
The Falcons have had an interest in hiring Belichick “for weeks,” according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, who added that Atlanta is still targeting other candidates as well.
The Atlanta Falcons have been interested in landing Bill Belichick for weeks, per sources. Belichick isn’t the only candidate they are targeting.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 11, 2024
The Falcons have put in interview requests for several candidates not named Belichick, but this isn’t the first time they have been connected to the legendary coach. Atlanta fired head coach Arthur Smith just hours after its disappointing season ended Sunday night, and owner Arthur Blank appears to be casting a wide net in his search for Smith’s replacement.
MORE: Where Bill Belichick, Pete Carroll rank on list of winningest NFL coaches
Bill Belichick ‘will want to continue coaching’ after split with Patriots
Date: Thursday, Jan. 11
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Belichick is expected to want to continue coaching. Schefter continued that Belichick is “expected to draw interest from at least some” of the other teams with an opening, including the Falcons.
Bill Belichick will want to continue coaching and is expected to draw interest from at least some of the other seven NFL teams that currently have head coach vacancies, quite possibly the Atlanta Falcons, per league sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 11, 2024
While Belichick may provide the answer himself during his press conference Thursday afternoon, Schefter’s report indicates the 71-year-old’s NFL career is not quite done yet. The active coaching cycle, with seven other openings outside the Patriots, could give him an opportunity to continue his career.
