Falcons top head coach target becomes available

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NFL: JUL 30 New England Patriots Training Camp

This morning, the Patriots and arguably the greatest head coach of all time, Bill Belichick, agreed to part ways after 24 seasons and six Super Bowls.

Unlike his close friend Nick Saban, who announced his retirement yesterday, it doesn’t look like Belichick is ready to hang up the headset just yet, and according to a number of reports, the Falcons are eyeing him to be their next head coach.

It all started before the season when Josina Anderson said that multiple NFC South teams could have interest in Bill Belichick should he become available. 

That sparked questions surrounding the Falcons’ interest, but it was minimal, given Arthur Smith was still the head coach in Atlanta and Belichick hadn’t been relieved of his duties in New England, even if it was expected.

However, once the Falcons season ended in embarrassing fashion to the Saints and Arthur Smith was officially axed, the rumors really started to poor in connecting Bell Belichick to the Atlanta job, beginning with The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.

Since then, Russini’s report has been confirmed by a multitude of outlets. At the very least, the Falcons are heavily considering the possibility of Bill Belichick as their next head coach. One NFL executive even went as far as to say they should be considered the favorites to land him. 

Belichick to the Falcons: Before the Falcons’ 48-17 defeat to New Orleans on Sunday, execs thought coach Arthur Smith might remain in place, unless the Falcons could land Belichick. With Smith losing his job Sunday night, one domino in this prediction has already fallen. Glazer’s report on Belichick’s likely separation from the Patriots follows months of speculation that change is coming to New England.

“Belichick to Dallas is my sleeper,” another exec said, “but I’d make Atlanta the odds-on favorite for Bill, and the Chargers the odds-on favorite for Harbaugh.”

At this point, Belichick to the Falcons is more than just a rumor. Arthur Blank and Rich McKay seem heavily interested in bringing the best coach of all time into the building and seeing if he can revive his career, and this franchise, with a clean slate.

The interest on the Falcons end is understandable, given Belichick’s coaching pedigree, but as ESPN’s Dan Graziano recently pointed out, the fit makes sense from Belichick’s perspective as well. 

“I’ve also been told people close to Belichick believe it would be a good fit for him. It’s a strong roster that, yes, needs to figure out the quarterback position. It’s in a relatively calm market where he could be all about the football. And he’d have a team owner who doesn’t meddle in day-to-day affairs.”

Arthur Blank wants to win now and believes there is a roster in place to do so. I’m not as confident until they get a competent quarterback in the building, which Bill Belichick hasn’t been able to do in New England since the departure of Tom Brady. However, if the Falcons can figure out the quarterback position, Belichick might have all he needs to succeed in Atlanta.

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Photographer: Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire

 

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