When the Atlanta Falcons met with Bill Belichik for the second time, it was strongly believed that the legendary head coach would fill the team's vacancy following his departure from the New England Patriots.
But ESPN's Adam Schefter is hearing differently from sources right now, as the Falcons' head coaching search remains “wide open.”
Putting two and two together, Schefter believes Belichick may not be the favorite in Atlanta after all.
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New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick before Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium in Houston on February 5, 2011. (Mark J. Rebilas-USA Today Sports)
“They interviewed him for the second time last Friday in person,” Schefter said on ESPN's “Get Up” on Thursday. “Since then, the Falcons have paraded a number of candidates for second and other interviews and have scheduled additional conversations with other candidates.
“That doesn't sound like a team that's ready to make a move on Bill Belichick… If they're wide open after meeting with Bill Belichick twice, that certainly tells you he's not the favorite for the job.”
After the Carolina Panthers surprisingly hired Dave Canales to become their next head coach, only two other teams besides the Falcons have yet to take his place: the Washington Commanders and the Seattle Seahawks.
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For Schefter, there is a “real possibility” that Belichick will not find a new home in the NFL for the 2024 season.
“He hasn't talked to any of the other three teams,” Schefter said, before Canales was hired. “So, of the four teams with remaining vacancies, there's a real chance he doesn't get any of these head coaching jobs.”
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick during opening night of Super Bowl LI at Minute Maid Park on January 30, 2017. (Michael Madrid-USA Today Sports)
However, there was a report from CBS Sports that said Falcons owner Arthur Blank “desperately” wants to hire Belichick to fill the void.
There is some speculation that Belichick might want to have more control like he had with the Patriots, where he also served as general manager. However, Belichick's recent draft history hasn't been the best, as have his free agent acquisitions in recent seasons.
The Patriots' 4-13 record led the 71-year-old to mutually part ways with the team he has coached for the past 24 seasons.
But six Super Bowls and continued dominance in the AFC lead many to believe Belichick is the greatest coach of all time. He is third all-time in wins with 302, and is not far behind Don Shula (328) and George Halas (318).
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick during the AFC Championship Game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts on January 22, 2017. (Winslow Townson-USA Today Sports)
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Clearly, the motivation is still there for Belichick, but if he doesn't find common ground with the Falcons, perhaps 2025 should be the year he returns to the bench.
