Three surprise NFL teams are reportedly emerging as early favorites to land former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.
The 72-year-old Bill Belichick and the Patriots parted ways after a disappointing 2023 season, ending his 24-year run with the organization. In a stunning development, Belichick was passed over in the 2024 NFL head coach hiring cycle.
The Atlanta Falcons were the only team to interview Belichick for their HC position, but they hired Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris instead. 2024 marks the first NFL season without Belichick on the sidelines since 1974.
According to a report from The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, multiple NFL scouts and executives have mentioned the Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers as possible landing spots for Bill Belichick:
“Finally, as the coaching cycle is brewing and Bill Belichick is motivated to get back into the NFL, I asked 10 coaches and execs from across the league: What’s the best landing spot for the future Hall of Fame coach?
One common answer was the Jacksonville Jaguars. In a recent episode of the “Scoop City” podcast, my co-host Chase Daniel and I discussed the possibility of Belichick taking over Jacksonville in 2025, should Doug Pederson get fired. While Belichick has maintained a strong relationship with Jaguars ownership, it’s anticipated he would seek changes in the front office, particularly regarding current general manager Trent Baalke.
The other two teams that came up frequently: The Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (should those jobs open up).”
Also Read: REPORT: Bill Belichick ‘Has His Eye’ On Surprise NFL Head Coaching Job Ahead Of The Offseason
Bill Belichick calling out the illegal formation well before the snap pic.twitter.com/bTJeObo2Df
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) November 26, 2024
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The 2-9 Jaguars are a sure bet to fire head coach Doug Pederson before or after their disastrous 2024 campaign. The Cowboys are unpredictable with Jerry Jones calling the shots, but it’s hard to envision him retaining Mike McCarthy (his contract expires after this season) after an awful season.
The Buccaneers are certainly interesting as a potential landing spot for Belichick. They’ve won consecutive NFC South division titles under Todd Bowles, who has the team in playoff contention despite a string of injuries to key players.
Bill Belichick Will Have Plenty Of Interest
Other teams that could have interest in Belichick include the unraveling New York Giants, the Las Vegas Raiders (Tom Brady is now part-owner there!), the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears.
Belichick’s tenure with the Patriots ended miserably, with three losing seasons in four years and five straight campaigns of zero playoff wins. But he’s the best coach in NFL history, and teams in win-now mode won’t find a better candidate to get them to the next level.
