It was reported Thursday morning that Bill Belichick will no longer be the head coach of the New England Patriots. Fortunately for the six-time champion, it doesn’t sound like he’ll be unemployed for long.
Apparently, the Atlanta Falcons have interest in Belichick for their head coaching vacancy. He would be quite the replacement for Arthur Smith.
For the past two weeks, NFL insiders said there’s a team in the NFC South keeping tabs on Belichick. Clearly, the Falcons are that team.
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
“Jerod Mayo is the top in-house candidate, viewed for years as a possible successor. Mike Vrabel is also available,” NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said. “For Belichick, #Falcons may be an option.”
Our story on https://t.co/iLSuC0HswN on Bill Belichick and the #Patriots agreeing to part ways.
Jerod Mayo is the top in-house candidate, viewed for years as a possible successor. Mike Vrabel is also available. For Belichick, #Falcons may be an option. https://t.co/FyO2SZkJHE
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 11, 2024
“Falcons owner Arthur Blank has taken some big swings at other high-profile head coaches in the past,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter said. “Blank once pursued, but didn’t land, Joe Gibbs. He once pursued, but didn’t land, Bill Parcells. Now the Falcons have a head coach opening, and Bill Belichick is a free agent.”
Falcons owner Arthur Blank has taken some big swings at other high-profile head coaches in the past.
Blank once pursued, but didn’t land, Joe Gibbs.
He once pursued, but didn’t land, Bill Parcells.
Now the Falcons have a head coach opening, and Bill Belichick is a free agent.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 11, 2024
If Belichick goes to Atlanta, his No. 1 task would be to fix the quarterback position. The roster already has intriguing weapons on offense and serviceable players on defense.
Of course, there’s a chance other teams outbid the Falcons for Belichick’s services. Even if he doesn’t have his fastball anymore, he remains one of the best coaches in the game from a strategic standpoint.