Days after meeting with the Falcons for the first time, Bill Belichick will speak with the team again shortly. The longtime Patriots coach will have a second interview with Atlanta this weekend, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. 
The Falcons have increasingly been named as a team to watch with respect to a Belichick pursuit. As a result, it came as no surprise that the six-time Super Bowl winner met one-on-one with owner Arthur Blank on Monday. A mutual interest between the two sides was reported to exist after the summit, leading to more signs pointing the way of a Belichick-to-Atlanta move. Today’s news moves further in that direction. The upcoming sit-down will involve Belichick and a Falcons executive group, per Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports.
Atlanta has cast a wide net so far in the team’s ongoing search for an Arthur Smith replacement. Experience is believed to be more of a driving factor than Blank’s previous hires, and Belichick obviously tops the list of available options in that department. Jim Harbaugh has also interviewed once for the position, so the Falcons have been involved with the league’s highest-profile candidates in the 2024 cycle. Harbaugh has more closely been connected with the Chargers and Raiders, however.
The Falcons have conducted a first interview with six candidates other than Belichick, but the window for second interviews (which can be in-person) will open for staffers currently employed once the divisional round is complete. Having parted ways with the Patriots, though, Belichick is free to take any position at any time. The fact a second meeting with Blank and Co. has been arranged quickly is certainly a positive sign as it pertains to momentum for a deal to be reached in the near future.
Just like Harbaugh, Belichick has been connected to the vacancies in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. However, the latter has not yet lined up an interview with any team other than the Falcons so far. Pending the outcome of this weekend’s summit, it will certainly be interesting to see if any meetings are scheduled with teams outside Atlanta looking to bring in the winningest coach of the 21st century.
Belichick is likely two years away from surpassing Don Shula for first on the NFL’s all-time coaching wins list. At the age of 71, any posting he takes will no doubt have short-term success in mind. The Falcons have invested heavily at the skill positions in recent years, and the team has one of the league’s top offensive lines. Improvement on defense was also seen in 2023 after that unit was a point of emphasis in the offseason. A major roster hole exists at the quarterback spot, however, and filling it will be the top priority for the team and its next coach in the coming weeks and months.
Belichick’s track record with the Patriots after Tom Brady‘s departure certainly leaves plenty to be desired on offense in particular, and any arrangement with a new team will likely take on a different setup than the one he had in New England which allowed him to operate as coach but also de facto general manager. Mutual interest between he and the Falcons obviously exists, though, so this situation will be worth watching closely.
Dirty Birds bout to get real dirty lol
Both NE & ATL don’t have QB’s. What’s the difference?
I like the offensive weapons in ATL over NE. Bill is not the best at drafting offensive play makers but fortunately they already have some in the building. QB is obviously a question for both teams but free agency or the draft can fix that (hopefully).
Not saying he is walking into the perfect situation but it is going to be fun as hell to watch Bill operate in the NFC. The warm weather in ATL is going to do wonders for old Bill lol.
If Bill goes to ATL, I see him going with Cousins or some vet route rather than hoping a draft pick pans out. Grab either OT or help on D w/ the 3rd pick.
I was going to say go after Cousins, but I figured I would be attacked for saying it lol. Cousins w/London, Pitts, Bijan, sounds like a team to me.
If they are not drafting a QB then they should grab an Edge, OT, CB and another WR to line up opposite London.
ATL should go get Fields
Is Fields the QB Bill wants to lock himself to for the next 2-3 years? It really would depend on the OC Bill brings in to work with JF.
I’m all for Fields if the Falcons are going with an offensive minded coach. I don’t think BB will utilize him correctly, Cam Newton is a comparable player and he was terrible with the Patriots. And that was with Josh McDaniels too if I’m not mistaken. Bad fit
3rd pick? Do they pick that high? I thought it was 7th or so.
8th
Pats have 3rd, Falcons have 8th
I can see the Falcons and Belichick coming together for a 5-year deal, yes, the Falcons don’t have the QB right now, but they could possibly trade with Chicago for either the first pick or trade or their existing QB. Chicago just has to make up their mind either keep the pick draft WR Harrison, trade the pick for additional picks or use the pick draft WIlliams from USC and then trade their QB cause his rookie contract is about to expire and he will get a sizeable second contract.
If the Falcons get Belichek, it’s a short term move and they are absolutely not drafting a quarterback. Kirk Cousins, Russell Wilson, or Garapallo will be in Atlanta with Josh McDaniels running the offense.
Atlanta is a college football town that only supports front-runners in the pros. The Falcons will learn that soon enough.
Enjoy playing for the #1 pick every year while Fox continues to emphasize NFC East uber alles.
The Falcons were founded in 1965. You think they haven’t figured out the front runner thing yet huh?
Falcons didn’t begin play until 1966 — and they happen to face all of the NFC East next season. Brain fade by the both of us.
Well apparently Bill interviews better than, for instance, Eric Bieniemy.
Also has a slightly more flashy resume, to offset his cantankerous personality.
This job is more attractive then the Chargers. I don’t understand why people love the chargers job so much? They are in cap hell and in a division with Patrick mahomes.
Falcons are in an easy division with all the pieces but a QB
Commanders job is for the long term a coach who wants to build something.
And Spanos doesn’t have a great reputation as owner, whether that’s accurate or not. He’s at least patient with coaches though, even if he probably keeps them around for *too* long.
But I agree with you. I think the divisional aspect is overblown because the Chiefs are really the only team in that division that should be good for a while and there are three wild card spots, but I’d imagine the appeal just comes from having Herbert and thinking you can figure out the rest later.
Is Flacco a free agent?
Yes.
More importantly, will he be out of therapy after the debacle against Houston (he and Dak may have their own support group by now)?
I’ve been stomping for Cousins in ATL for awhile.
Yeah he’d be leaving Jefferson & TJ & Addison but with Bijan & Altier, his Play Action mastery would (finally) utilize Pitts & London strengths.
just my take
Welcome back to the NFL Josh McDaniels!
Bill come home. NYG need you.
I hear he’s gonna be pretty reasonable with the financial terms too, he’s seeking 28 million, and a three year contract.
Two interviews? This guy is so unknown they had to schedule a follow-up just to get all of his answers in.
Surely they can’t be attempting to learn things like whether he’ll insist on total personnel control, who he may want to bring in as assistants, or if he’s going to continue being a grouchy old curmudgeon in press conferences.
He’s a winner! Who cares if he can get along with his new boss, assistants or players…