ATLANTA — On Friday, Bill Belichick wrapped off his second coaching interview with the Atlanta Falcons, putting him one step closer to joining the team that saw its greatest setback under his leadership.
The Falcons also held a virtual meeting with Aaron Glenn, the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, but Belichick was the centre of attention due to rumours that he was the team’s top pick and had travelled to Atlanta on one of owner Arthur Blank’s private planes.
It would be a surprising development if Belichick joins the Falcons, who haven’t won a Super Bowl since 2017 and have never had a winning season.
During the 2016 season, Belichick was the coach of the New England Patriots, who staged the greatest Super Bowl comeback in history, defeating the Falcons 34-28 in overtime after trailing 28-3 in the second half.
A year later, Atlanta qualified for the playoffs but hasn’t returned since. Shortly after the terrible loss at New Orleans in the season’s final game, which concluded Arthur Smith’s third consecutive 7-10 campaign, he was dismissed.
With six Super Bowl victories to his credit, Belichick is the most successful coach in history. He just parted ways with the Patriots after his worst-ever 4-13 season.
His final season in New England was ruined by serious quarterback problems. Bailey Zappe struggled and Mac Jones was benched.
Similar issues were experienced by the Falcons at the most visible position on the field, where Smith desperately tried to keep his job by alternating between Taylor Heinicke and Desmond Ridder.
If Belichick were to visit Atlanta, it would undoubtedly be with the knowledge that general manager Terry Fontenot, CEO Rich McKay, and QB coach Blank are open to looking for an upgrade.
Belichick is closing up on the record of 347 victories held by the late Don Shula, with a career record of 333-178, including the playoffs, indicating that he wants to continue coaching.
Along with quarterback Tom Brady, Belichick built what many regard as the greatest NFL dynasty in history, winning six rings in 18 seasons. In addition, Belichick was a member of two additional championship teams while serving as Bill Parcells’ assistant coach for the New York Giants.
However, once Brady left the Patriots after the 2019 season and went on to win his seventh Super Bowl ring with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Falcons’ NFC South opponent, Belichick’s reputation suffered a serious damage.
With a 29-38 record, the Patriots have only had one winning season since then—a one-time playoff participation in 2021. That isn’t all that much better than Atlanta’s 25–42 record during the same period.
The Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, the Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, the San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, the Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, the Ravens assistant head coach and defensive line coach Anthony Weaver, and the Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson have all been interviewed by the Falcons in addition to Belichick and Glenn.
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