Plenty has emerged in the wake of Bill Belichick going from eight-time Super Bowl champion to unemployed, but as the legendary coach regroups, some additional information about what went down in Atlanta — along with other teams’ coaching searches — has come to light.
Connecting some dots based on what has previously come out this offseason, ESPN.com’s Don Van Natta, Seth Wickersham and Jeremy Fowler report in an expansive piece that Falcons execs dissuaded Arthur Blank from hiring Belichick and Robert Kraft played a major role in the process that ended up veering away from an overqualified candidate who had initially appeared the favorite for the job Raheem Morris now has.
On the morning of the day Morris became the pick, Belichick still viewed himself as likely to land the job. Blank confirmed the 24-year Patriots HC did not ask him for personnel control, but power brokering — given Belichick’s outsized influence and experience — is believed to have still gone down in Atlanta’s front office. As a result, Belichick felt “blindsided” by the Morris hire.
CEO Rich McKay and GM Terry Fontenot did not want to work with Belichick, according to ESPN, which adds the six-time Super Bowl-winning HC was willing to work with the fourth-year GM (while confirming he and McKay’s less-than-stellar relationship). A previous report pointed to Belichick’s concern with Fontenot and the Falcons’ overall 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.
Kraft is believed to have played a role in Blank backing off his initial hope to hire Belichick. A conversation between Blank and his longtime friend came after the Jan. 15 Blank-Belichick yacht meeting, and ESPN reports the Patriots owner warned the Falcons boss not to trust the accomplished HC.
Seeing as this comes during an offseason that has seen more information come out — via the much-discussed The Dynasty series — about Kraft’s issues with Belichick, it is hardly surprising the longtime Pats owner would provide such a warning. Robert Kraft, who considered ousting Belichick after 2022 (before son Jonathan Kraft advised against), referred to Belichick as “very, very, very arrogant, per 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.
New Commanders GM Adam Peters, a Patriots scout in the 2000s, discussed the HC position with Belichick. Minority owner Magic Johnson pushed for Washington to hire the Maryland native, but Josh Harris — who spoke to Kraft about Belichick in December — had decided he would not make that move. We had heard previously the NBA and NHL owner wanted a more collaborative approach, which many current NFL owners prefer, rather than handing the keys to one person. With Harris wanting a front office-oriented leadership structure, Peters has final say on Commanders football matters. Belichick was not interested in the Chargers.
The three other NFC East HC jobs may well be open in 2025, and ESPN notes Belichick would be interested in the Cowboys, Eagles and Giants positions — should they open up. The Eagles did work on Belichick before determining Nick Sirianni would stay, with Jeffrey Lurie and Howie Roseman viewed as fans of the future Hall of Famer, and the former has been close with Jerry Jones for many years. Lurie looks to have joined the Falcons in expressing hesitancy in greenlighting a Belichick move that would bring major changes while qualifying as a short-term fix.
Belichick, who turned 72 on Tuesday, is now six years older than the oldest HC ever hired (Bruce Arians). Any team that considers a 2025 hire would be adding someone who will turn 73 before coaching his next NFL game.
A Belichick confidant also expressed doubt the former Giants DC would earn another HC job unless Jones signs off on a Cowboys hire. Mike McCarthy‘s lame-duck status will keep Belichick rumors going, it would seem, but for now, a TV gig appears in the works. Belichick is expected to join Peyton Manning‘s Omaha Productions for analysis-based work. ESPN’s Pat McAfee also announced Belichick will be part of his show’s draft coverage (video link).
Fifteen wins shy of Don Shula‘s career record, Belichick is believed to have informed allies he expects to land at least one interview next year. While the NFC East jobs are worth monitoring, the bumps the Patriot Way has taken — coupled with Belichick’s age and implied threat to organizations’ status quos — leave it far from certain he will have a third opportunity to lead an NFL team.
For God’s sake BB, you’ve made hundreds of millions of dollars from the NFL, enjoy retirement already.
lmao if an NFL owner is willing to open up the wallet for you, you take it.
He wants the wins record. Who can honestly blame him?
He better hope if he does come back that Tommy is ready to suit up again, because he has proven he is nothing without Brady.
Useless broken record that lies constantly…dull stabby
Love how you can’t dispute it….
There’s nothing to dispute. BB never got another chance yet derp.
Yeah because Brady played offense,defense and special teams smh
The fact that he wanted to bring in McDaniels, Patricia, and Judge is all you need to know about why he didn’t get a job. McDaniels I could maybe see, but Patricia and Judge are not NFL-caliber coaches.
What did McDaniels do? Failed miserably as HC in Den (with a cheating scandal no less) and Raiders. His only accomplishment was being the OC while Tom was the QB, that’s it. No different than Hackett w/ Rodgers.
McDaniels is a terrible HC, but a great OC. He made Mac Jones a pro bowler in his rookie season. Once McDaniels left Jones went off a cliff under Matt P and Judge. It’s stunning that Belichick actually attempted to make those two clowns part of his coaching staff after their dumpster fire in NE.
You’re using 1 season for proof he’s a good OC? Sorry I need a bit more than that.
He also put in a whole new offense for Cam Newton on the fly. He more than proved himself in his two seasons as OC without Brady. He will land another OC job somewhere, as he should.
He drafted Tebow in the 1st round, & grossly overpaid for a washed-up Grap in Vegas.
You missed the part where I said he was a terrible HC. That much is obvious. But, on the other hand, he’s an excellent OC, and he has proven that many times.
Arty, it makes no sense to point out things McDaniels did as a head coach when claiming he’s a poor OC. The two are separate positions.
It was not a new system. They still ran Erherdt-Perkins as always under that staff, which Newton ran in Carolina too. Players have confirmed this.
I’ll counter you with this….everyone wants to give coaches credit for QB development, or blame them if QBs dont work out. Do we give BB or Josh McD credit for developing Brady?
Hahahaa “ProBowler”
We still acting like he wasn’t the 7th back up choice because both teams were required to have three QBs? But sure… “pro bowl qb” lol.
I’m well aware that he was an alternate, but he still made it. He also finished 2nd in rookie of the year voting. Contrast that to how he fared under other OCs and it becomes obvious how good McDaniels is as an OC.
Jones’ descent started his rookie year.
JJ McCarthy is this year’s Mac Jones. Played on an absolutely loaded team and asked not to do much. Like Mac, he’ll be drafted incredibly high as well!
McDaniels is a deeply dislikable guy and a terrible head coach. His OC record (when not head coach) is very good. It’s seems likely that McDaniels knows how to both scheme an offense and take best advantage of a given QB’s skillset.
Head coach is more a politician than a coach.
Belichick thinking that it was a good idea to install Matt Patricia as offensive coordinator for a year is enough to disqualify him for future head coaching gigs. Matt Jones’s career was ruined by McDaniels choosing to fail as a HC (for the Raiders) again, and the decision by Belichick to make Patricia OC in McDaniels’ absence.
Kraft is a snake/two faced vindictive piece of garbage and the true colors are coming out about this egotistical tool. Looking more and more like he has been caught with his pants down (pun intended) again.
From google: Even with all the success Belichick has accomplished in 29 seasons, the legendary head coach is just 83-101 when Tom Brady was not his starting quarterback (including his five years as the Cleveland Browns head coach).
Why do you hate greatness bub?
Love greatness, when it’s earned for an entire body of work. Nonchalantly ignoring a 1/3 of Bill’s record is not what I do.
You’re so jealous. It’s running out of your ears…
Not jealous, just love calling out hypocrites. Now go spy on another team!
Robert Kraft = the ultimate schmuck
lol The people dying to take Bill Belichick down a peg are always on time.
They’re jealous
Loved your name National Fixed League while supporting Bill whose teams were caught cheating multiple times!
It’s all rigged. It has been forever. You’re just willingly leaving your head up your backside.
The chefs get all the calls. Especially in the post season. It’s really quite easy for anyone that has functional eyes.
Did the Patriots benefit from it? Absolutely. The chefs are currently benefiting from it.
I love the game of football, It’s purely entertainment though. There’s way too much money being made from the mob and the betting.
Funny how you causally dismiss the Pats’ scandals only to throw blame on Andy Reid who had never had a record of cheating in some 20 years of being a head coach.
You’re one of those Pats’ fans that, all of a sudden, says how cheap Robert Kraft is. Funny, No one never heard of him being light in the wallet derring the Bill/cheating decades, why not? He’s beyond wealthy and headed to Canton, but now he’s skimping, baloney. Keep up the excuses, I enjoy it!
I’m a Jets fan so I know a thing or 5 about hating Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, but after reading this thread it seems you’re trying just a little too hard to do so.
BB is a first ballot hall of famer, end of story.
Farty McDump
Only slow people actually believe them. Sooo…yeah.
Every team “cheats”…even your favorite team. Durrrr…
Belichick with the Cowboys? That’s gold, Jerry!
I’m going to take a wild guess that good ol’ Bobby wasn’t looking in a mirror when he accused Belichick of being “very, very, very arrogant”.
Dallas is perfectly set up for Bill to prove his worth next year. Dak, Lamb, HC & staff all are on expiring contracts. Let’s see if Jerry and Bill can prove the NFL world wrong by building a contender together.
I’d love to see it. If he could win a Super Bowl with Dak Prescott, I think that would put to rest all questions about him. I can’t see it happening though. Imo, if McCarthy fails, Zimmer is more likely to get that job than Belichick.
Nice of Kraft to give his opinion in between trips to various brothels.
If BB wants full control as part of the deal, I can’t imagine that he’ll end up in Dallas. Jerry Jones is still living off the Herschel Walker trade, drafting wisely for a couple years, and hiring Jimmy Johnson to be his coach 35 years ago. Jones has been getting in the way of the Cowboys getting past the divisional round since 1996 blaming everyone but himself then going out and repeating his mistakes. I can’t imagine Jones voluntarily ceding one bit of control while alive.
The only more unlikely scenario would be BB going to Al Davis’ Raiders. That would have been fun though: BB explaining to build through defense and the trenches, while AD would insist on their first round pick going to the WR prospect with the fastest 40 time.
Jones deserves a lot of criticism, but he’s not been the reason they haven’t been winning playoff games. Will McClay has done a great job with their personnel. It’s been coaching and the QB. Prescott has gotten outplayed in almost every playoff game he’s played in, and some of the coaching decisions have been baffling to say the least going back to the Wade Phillips era.
This goes back almost 30 years though. 5-10 years, sure, QB/coaching.
They’ve been through several QB’s, several coaches in this time. Jones has been the only constant.
The Cowboys are also fond of bringing in the big names rather than figuring out which players complement themselves, so always something missing…like the whole ends up being less than the sum of its parts.
Al Davis died a while ago…
Belichick might be “very, very, very arrogant.” But he does not, to my knowledge, get illegal handjibbers at massage parlors.
Bob Kraft is a scumbag.
Bob Kraft king of the tug jobs. The dynasty really is comedic genius written and produced by one of the biggest narcissists of our time Bob Kraft. Remember his drunken Super Bowl speech. His large scale donation to another narcissistic wannabe dictator?
His need to feed his ego has exposed him as a fraud.