It’s not a given that Bill Belichick will become the next head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.
There was a second interview with the former Patriots head coach on Friday, according to Jonathon Jones of CBS Sports. The HC search, however, will be a drawn-out procedure.
An unnamed insider told Jones, “This will be one of the most thorough head coach searches in [NFL] history.”
The Falcons have had interviews with nine applicants thus far, including offensive coordinators Bobby Slowik of the Texans and Ben Johnson of the Lions. However, hiring a candidate is contingent upon fulfilling the Rooney Rule.
After six consecutive losing seasons, Belichick, one of the greatest coaches of all time, may help Atlanta turn things around. He was Coach of the Year three times and won six Super Bowls in his twenty-four seasons with the Patriots.
During his time in New England, Belichick was in charge of hiring decisions. It might be difficult if he decides to alter the Falcons front office’s organizational structure. Rich McKay, the CEO of the team, joined the company in 2003, and Terry Fontenot, the general manager, signed a six-year contract.
Jones did point out that Arthur Blank, the team’s owner, “desperately” wants to employ Belichick. To persuade him to accept the position, he might be open to making adjustments.
Despite finishing 7-10, Atlanta is well-positioned for a rebuild. Talented young players like Drake London, a wide receiver, and running back Bijan Robinson are on the Falcons roster. In the 2024 NFL Draft, they will also hold the eighth overall pick, which puts them in position to choose a franchise quarterback.
Even then, if they choose the incorrect HC, it won’t matter. Although Atlanta is being thorough, if Belichick is serious about the position, the team ought to make an effort to choose a qualified applicant.
Leave a Reply