Bill Belichick’s transformation from eight-time Super Bowl champion to unemployed has been the subject of much media attention. However, as the renowned coach gets his bearings, more details regarding what transpired in Atlanta and the coaching searches of other clubs have surfaced.
Connecting some dots based on information that has already surfaced this offseason, Don Van Natta, Seth Wickersham, and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com write in a lengthy piece that Falcons executives discouraged Arthur Blank from hiring Belichick, and that Robert Kraft was a major factor in the decision to steer clear of the overqualified candidate who had looked like the front-runner for the position that Raheem Morris currently holds.
Even on the morning when Morris was selected, Belichick continued to believe he would be hired. Although Blank acknowledged that the 24-year-old Patriots head coach did not request personnel control, power brokering is thought to have still failed in Atlanta’s front office due to Belichick’s immense expertise and influence. Belichick was therefore “blindsided” by the Morris hire.
According to ESPN, Belichick was not a fit for CEO Rich McKay and General Manager Terry Fontenot. However, the six-time Super Bowl champion head coach was open to working with the fourth-year GM, despite their less than ideal relationship. Belichick was reportedly concerned about Fontenot and the Falcons’ entire power structure.
Fontenot, McKay and Falcons president Greg Beadles were part of the Falcons’ second Belichick interview.
Going so far as to reveal Falcons brass’ final rankings for the HC job, Fowler, Van Natta and Wickersham indicate Belichick did not finish in the top three for the Atlanta position. Beyond unanimous top choice Morris, Mike Macdonald and Texans OC Bobby Slowik respectively slotted second and third in this process.
It’s thought that Kraft had some influence on Blank’s decision to renounce his original intention to employ Belichick. Following the boat meeting between Blank and Belichick on January 15, ESPN says that Blank had a talk with his longtime friend, and the Patriots owner urged the Falcons boss not to put too much faith in the accomplished head coach.
Given that further details regarding Kraft’s problems with Belichick have emerged during the offseason thanks to the much-discussed The Dynasty series, it is not surprising that the veteran Pats owner would deliver such a warning. Before his son Jonathan Kraft counseled against it, Robert Kraft thought of firing Belichick after 2022 and described him as “very, very, very arrogant,” according to ESPN.A Robert Kraft spokesman denied the owner, who was naturally complimentary of the game’s second-winningest HC upon the January separation, disparaged Belichick to Blank.
Belichick had already assembled a coaching staff, with some familiar names indeed believed to be part of it. Beyond plans to bring Josh McDaniels, Matt Patricia and Joe Judge aboard, former Texans VP (and Patriots staffer) Jack Easterby was on the radar to be part of a Belichick Atlanta staff. Falcons execs expressed reservations about this staff, with ESPN adding Blank also questioned why this group failed elsewhere. Belichick reportedly responded by saying this group was comprised of “better soldiers than generals.” Judge has since joined Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss staff. The Texans moved on from Easterby in 2022.
Belichick talked with Adam Peters, the general manager of the New Commanders, who was a scout for the Patriots in the 2000s. Magic Johnson, the minority owner, advocated for Washington to hire the native of Maryland, but Josh Harris had already made up his mind not to hire Belichick after speaking with Kraft about him in December. Prior to giving the keys to one individual, we had heard that the NHL and NBA owners preferred a more cooperative approach, which is also what many current NFL owners desire. Peters gets the last word on Commanders football matters because Harris prefers a front office-focused leadership structure. The Chargers did not pique Belichick’s interest.
According to ESPN, Belichick would be considering the Cowboys, Eagles, and Giants jobs, should they become available, in 2025. The other three NFC East head coaching openings may also become available. Before deciding that Nick Sirianni would stay, the Eagles worked on Belichick. Howie Roseman and Jeffrey Lurie are thought to be supporters of the future Hall of Famer, and the former has a long-standing friendship with Jerry Jones. Lurie appears to have joined the Falcons in expressing reluctance to approve a Belichick trade that would qualify as a temporary solution but would result in significant changes.
Having turned 72 on Tuesday, Belichick is now six years older than the oldest hiring HC in history, Bruce Arians. Any team that considers a 2025 hire would be adding someone who will turn 73 before coaching his next NFL game.
A close friend of Belichick also voiced doubts that the former Giants DC will be hired as head coach again unless Jones approves a Cowboys acquisition. Belichick rumors will presumably persist due to Mike McCarthy’s lame duck status, but for the time being, a TV role looks to be in the cards. It is anticipated that Belichick will work on analysis-based projects for Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions. Belichick will also be featured in the draft coverage of ESPN’s Pat McAfee (video link).
Belichick, who is only fifteen victories short of Don Shula’s career record, is rumored to have told associates he anticipates getting at least one interview in 2019.
Although it’s important to keep an eye on the NFC East positions, it’s unlikely that Belichick will have a third chance to manage an NFL team given the setbacks the Patriot Way has suffered, his advanced age, and his apparent threat to established institutions.
Read more on sportchannel.co.uk
Leave a Reply