Bill Belichick is among the greatest head coaches in NFL and American sports history, having coached in the playoffs 31 times, won six Super Bowls, won 333 games overall, and won three Coach of the Year awards in 29 seasons.
He was also a highly sought-after free agent as of last week and the former coach of the New England Patriots.
Robert Kraft, Patriots Final Press Conference
Belichick is trying to sign with a different team for the upcoming season as the Pats go on under new coach Jerod Mayo.
The most recent breaking news, intriguing rumours, and random facts…
Josh McDaniels, a former Patriot, was rumoured to be following Bill Belichick to his next destination on January 21. As 2024 approaches, the Belichickian coaching tree may be losing some of its leaves, but its roots—which are perhaps the strongest—may still be there.
In the event that he is selected from among the many candidates for the Atlanta Falcons head coaching job, former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is reportedly considering adding fellow former Pat Josh McDaniels to his staff. Belichick wrapped up his second interview with the team on Friday.
“It remains to be seen where Bill Belichick ends up,” the NFL Network said on Sunday. “He’s in the NFL coaching cycle and has interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons twice in a row… Naturally, Belichick is interested in that, so don’t be shocked if Josh McDaniels chooses to work with him in the end.”
McDaniels had the most success as a coach under Belichick in New England before being removed from his job in October 2023 after a second unsuccessful head coaching tenure with the Las Vegas Raiders. The 47-year-old was a member of New England’s coaching staff for six Super Bowl championships and has three Super Bowl victories as an offensive coordinator.
McDaniels has been praised for his past work with star quarterback Tom Brady during his time in New England, even in spite of his current comments. He’s also received recognition for his work developing Alabaman Mac Jones, a 2021 first-round draft selection.
Whether McDaniels would work with Belichick as an associate head coach or as his offensive coordinator is still up in the air. Additionally, it is said that he is still being considered for the ‘OC’ role with the Patriots, which Bill O’Brien recently left open.
20 JAN FALCONS INTERVIEW WITH VRABEL AND HARBAUGH Belichick’s hire by the Falcons is still “expected,” but it’s not over yet.
Following the conclusion of a second interview with the former Patriots coach on Friday, rumours started to circulate that Atlanta is still interested in Jim Harbaugh of Michigan and Mike Vrabel, the former coach of the Titans. This weekend, Harbaugh will meet with the Falcons for a second interview, much like Belichick did. Vrabel is anticipated to have his first interview in Atlanta on Wednesday of next week, having visited with the Chargers on Thursday.
Belichick had a meeting on Friday with general manager Terry Fontenot, team president Greg Beadles, and CEO Rich McKay of the Falcons, following his earlier meeting with owner Arthur Blank. All indications are that Belichick will continue to be Atlanta’s frontrunner. Contract negotiations are underway, according to NFL insider Josina Anderson on CBS on Friday, although it is obvious that the process will extend into next week.
The full list of interviews for the Falcons:
*Belichick (dual conversations)
*Harbaugh (this weekend’s second interview)
Mike McDonald, the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens
Brian Callahan, the offensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals
Steve Wilks, the defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers
Ejiro Evero, the defensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers
Anthony Weaver, defensive line coach and assistant head coach for the Baltimore Ravens
Brian Johnson, the offensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles
Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn
*Vrabel (interview scheduled for Wednesday)
KIRK COUSINS OFFERS HIS TIME TO PLAY FOR BELICHICK, JAN. 19 The talk now centres on Belichick’s potential replacement as Falcons head coach and that player’s quarterback in Atlanta. Regarding the most significant role in football, Bill is essentially no longer in the Foxboro frying pan and is instead in the Atlanta fire.
Following Tom Brady’s exit from the Patriots, Cam Newton struggled, and now first-round selection Mac Jones has declined significantly. The remaining four games of the season were started by Bailey Zappe, but with the No. 3 overall pick in the April NFL Draft, New England’s quarterback situation is uncertain.
Not much better would Belichick inherit in Atlanta. The Falcons tried Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ritter, and Taylor Heinicke without much success after trading for the experienced Matt Ryan, who was their version of Brady, in 2021.
An experienced player might be a possibility, and Kirk Cousins, a possible free agent, stated this week that he would seize the opportunity to play for Belichick.
Cousins declared, “I won’t turn down the chance to play with a future Hall of Fame coach.” Like everyone else in professional football, I have the utmost regard for him as a coach. That pretty much says it all if you attend that many Super Bowls, win that many Super Bowls, attend that many conference championship games, and have the kind of defensive output he has consistently had for many years.”
After suffering an Achilles injury that ended his season in October, Cousins, 35, has the option to sign a free agency contract or rejoin the Minnesota Vikings. In 2022, he passed for 3 touchdowns and 299 yards in the Vikings’ Thanksgiving night victory over the Patriots.
Jan. 18: ADDITIONAL RULES FOR BILL IN ATLANTA? The Falcons have already set up a second, more in-depth meeting with Belichick, but Atlanta is still conducting initial interviews with potential candidates. The organization declared today that it had also discussed the head coaching post with offensive coordinator Brian Johnson of the Philadelphia Eagles.
After visiting owner Arthur Blank in person on his boat and scheduling additional meetings, Belichick, the former legend of the Patriots, is seen as the front-runner for the position. But Jim Harbaugh, the Michigan coach, and Johnson have now both been formally interviewed by the Falcons.
Jan. 18: SECOND TIME BELICHICK, FALCONS MEETING Belichick’s chances of coaching the Falcons appear to be improving now that the Cowboys are eliminated from the picture.
Jerry Jones, the owner of Dallas, declared on Wednesday night that he was keeping Mike McCarthy, ruling out the Cowboys as Belichick’s possible destination.
However, following an in-person meeting that occurred last weekend, which is said to have happened on Atlanta owner Arthur Blank’s $180 million yacht in the Virgin Islands, Belichick and the Falcons have another interview arranged for this coming weekend.
Unlike the previous meeting, which seemed to be limited to Belichick and Blank getting to know each other, this one will involve the Falcons front staff, cover more ground, and possibly even involve contract talks.
A fascinating, possibly historic 2025 game at Gillette Stadium could result from Belichick’s trade to the Falcons, while the Patriots continue to progress under new coach Jerod Mayo.
Just 14 victories stand between Belichick and Don Shula’s NFL record. The Falcons are expected to play at Foxboro in 2025.
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