If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it just may be a duck. Bill Belichick is Arthur Blank’s top target, and the Falcons are set to conduct their second interview with the greatest coach of all time this weekend, according to a report from Ian Rapoport.
Sources: Former #Patriots coach Bill Belichick will have a second interview with the #Falcons brass this weekend after meeting with owner Arthur Blank 1-on-1 this past week. Things are ramping up with the greatest coach of all time… pic.twitter.com/UR8LnJcYSS
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 18, 2024
On Monday night, the club announced that they interviewed Belichick for their open head coaching position. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero added that “no deal is imminent” between the two sides, but there is “mutual interest” and conversations are still ongoing.
Even before Arthur Smith was fired, there were murmurs of Atlanta’s interest in Belichick. Since Smith’s termination, Belichick has been the most consistent name connected to the Falcons.
An interesting aspect of this potential pairing is Rich McKay’s role. The right hand man of Arthur Blank might be removed from his duties in the organization if Belichick is hired.
According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, a source within the team predicts that “Belichick would take the job only if McKay is completely frozen out of football operations.”
There’s a lot of wrinkles to Bill Belichick coming to Atlanta, not only McKay’s role within the organization. Terry Fontenot’s fate may also hang in the balance. Atlanta’s general manager doesn’t have traditional GM powers, and his role is subject to change depending on the head coaching hire.
Belichick is notorious for having autonomy in New England, acting as the Patriots de facto GM and head coach. Arthur Blank, desperate for a Super Bowl, may be willing to part ways with power if it means bringing Belichick into the fold.
The details of a potential marriage are unclear to this point, but one thing is clear, the Falcons have Bill Belichick in their crosshairs.
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Photographer: Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire
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