The 2024 season is here. The 2025 offseason will be coming into focus soon.
Coaches will be fired; that is inevitable. Candidates will emerge who work with other teams. That is also inevitable.
One candidate is already known. And it’s currently disconnected. Each owner can decide during the season to follow Bill Belichick when the season ends, if not sooner. (And we know that happens, even though it shouldn’t.)
Here is the first (and possibly only) installment of our Belichick Watch List. Here are the teams that could be interested in hiring the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach. Not that it is or should be (or shouldn’t be), but it could be.
Many believe the biggest factor for Belichick’s next job will be whether and to what extent an owner is willing to make contractual, if not de factocontrol of the team to Belichick. If it was clear that he would be the coach and only the coach, without any effort or inclination to make personal decisions, he would already have a job. In Atlanta, or possibly Washington. His potential reluctance to operate within a structure where he reports to a younger, less experienced and much less experienced GM was enough to keep the likes of Arthur Blank, Arthur Blank’s new Falcons Ring of Honor member, away from him.
There is an important threshold factor that some owners may consider. Does the fan base want Belichick?
It’s hardly a given. Last year, when it became clear that Belichick and the Patriots would go their separate ways, we posted a poll on Twitter asking a very broad and general question. If your favorite team is looking for a coach this season, do you want Belichick? About three out of four who responded said no.
That’s probably one of the reasons Belichick decided to dip a toe into the media pool. Before opting for a cannonball instead.
He’s overexposed, to the point where the natural response might be, “Who cares?” Yes, he said some interesting things. But most of it is noise. And his speech and demeanor are still too close to one of his many press conferences to remind those who see and hear him of the grumbling that often came across as condescending, curt and dismissive.
So with that said, which teams are on our first Belichick Watch List? Here we go:
1. Cowboys.
Many think this is obvious. I think Jerry Jones will ultimately be too cheap to pay Belichick. Until then, Jerry will milk the opportunity for as much attention as possible. He spoke publicly about ultimately hiring Belichick in January, not long after issuing a statement that the coach who had won 36 games in three regular seasons would return for the final year of his contract.
On Wednesday PFT LiveMichael Holley had an interesting idea. If Belichick were the coach and only the coach in Dallas, would he expect much less than he earned in New England?
Another attraction would be the opportunity to stick it out with his former employer, given the rivalry between Jones and Patriots owner Robert Kraft.
2. Eagles.
After last year’s late-season freefall, Nick Sirianni’s future was in doubt. Belichick’s availability added to the uncertainty.
Sirianni could find himself in hot water again this year depending on how the next fourteen matches go. Belichick remains on the radar screen until we know if Sirianni has done enough to secure another season.
3. Giants.
Belichick has always had a soft spot for the Giants. As details of the dysfunction surrounding Jimmy Garoppolo’s dealings came to light several years ago, a report surfaced that Belichick might want to coach the Giants if/when things end in New England.
Depending on how the rest of the year goes, the Giants could make changes again; John Mara has fired four coaches in less than a decade.
The possibility of Belichick landing with the Cowboys or the Eagles could be enough to get Mara to pull the trigger, making the man who once retired as the HC of the NYJ the new HC/GM of the NYG.
4. Jaguars.
This became clear during Monday night’s embarrassing loss to the bills. Owner Shad Khan warned everyone before the season started: win now.
If the current trend continues, Khan could decide to turn to Belichick.
Things could turn out even worse than when Khan hired Urban Meyer.
5. Bengal.
This became intriguing during Monday evening’s unexpected loss to the commanders. However, I added them to the list for one reason: to cross them off.
The Bengals are definitely too cheap to hire Belichick. They are too cheap to fire Zac Taylor with three years left on his contract.
They, like the Cowboys, would be too cheap to fire Taylor alone An another year on his contract.
6. Bears.
The franchise breathes history. The city, which feels like a descendant of New York and Pittsburgh, breathes football. The roster oozes talent, except on the offensive line.
Would the Bears pay Belichick? Maybe not.
Or maybe, if they think he’s the man who can bring the team back to the level that will generate enough public money to pay for a new stadium.
