The 2024 season is settling in. The 2025 offseason will quickly start to return into focus.
Coaches will probably be fired; that is inevitable. Candidates working with different groups will emerge. That is inevitable, too.
One candidate is already identified. And he is at present unattached. Any proprietor can resolve throughout the season to make a beeline for Invoice Belichick when the season ends, if not sooner. (And we all know that occurs, even when it should not.)
Here is the primary (and presumably solely) installment of our Belichick Watch Checklist. These are the groups that might be concerned with hiring the six-time Tremendous Bowl-winning head coach. Not which might be or needs to be (or should not be) however might be.
Many consider the largest issue for Belichick’s subsequent job will probably be whether or not and to what extent an proprietor is prepared to present contractual, if not de facto, management over the staff to Belichick. If it was clear he can be the coach and solely the coach, with no effort or inclination to make personnel choices, he’d have already got a job. In Atlanta, or presumably in Washington. His potential unwillingness to function inside a construction that has him reporting to a youthful, much less skilled, and much much less achieved G.M. was sufficient to steer individuals like new Arthur Clean’s Falcons Ring of Honor member Arthur Clean away from him.
There’s an vital threshold issue that some house owners may take into account. Does the fanbase need Belichick?
It is hardly a given. Final yr, as soon as it grew to become clear Belichick and the Patriots can be going their separate methods, we posted a ballot on Twitter that posed a really broad and common query. In case your favourite staff is on the lookout for a coach this offseason, would you like Belichick? Roughly three out of 4 who responded stated no.
That is most likely one of many explanation why Belichick determined to dip a toe within the media pool. Earlier than he opted as a substitute for a cannonball.
He is overexposed, to the purpose the place the pure response could be, “Who cares?” Sure, he has stated some attention-grabbing issues. However most of it’s noise. And his supply and demeanor continues to be too near any of his many press conferences to remind those that see and listen to him of the grouch who typically got here off as condescending, curt, and dismissive.
So with all that stated, which groups are on our first Belichick Watch Checklist? Right here we go:
1. Cowboys.
Many assume this one is clear. I feel Jerry Jones finally will probably be too low cost to pay Belichick. Till then, Jerry will milk the chance for as a lot consideration as doable. Hell, he publicly spoke about ultimately hiring Belichick in January, not lengthy after issuing a press release that the coach who had gained 36 video games in three common seasons can be again for the ultimate yr of his contract.
On Wednesday’s PFT Stay, Michael Holley had an attention-grabbing thought. If Belichick can be the coach and solely the coach in Dallas, would he anticipate far lower than he was making in New England?
One other attraction can be the chance to stay it to his former employer, given the rivalry between Jones and Patriots proprietor Robert Kraft.
2. Eagles.
After final yr’s late-season free fall, Nick Sirianni’s future was unsure. The provision of Belichick added to the uncertainty.
Sirianni might find yourself in sizzling water once more this yr, relying on how the following 14 video games go. Belichick stays on the radar display, till we all know whether or not Sirianni has accomplished sufficient to safe one other season.
3. Giants.
Belichick has at all times had a mushy spot for the Giants. When particulars of the dysfunction over the dealing with of Jimmy Garoppolo emerged a number of years in the past, a report surfaced that Belichick would wish to coach the Giants if/when issues finish in New England.
Relying on how the remainder of the yr goes, the Giants might be making modifications, but once more; John Mara has fired 4 coaches in lower than a decade.
The opportunity of Belichick touchdown with the Cowboys or the Eagles might be sufficient to get Mara to drag the set off, making the man who as soon as give up as HC of the NYJ the brand new HC/GM of the NYG.
4. Jaguars.
This one grew to become apparent throughout Monday night time’s embarrassing loss to the Payments. Proprietor Shad Khan put everybody on discover earlier than the season started — win now.
If the present pattern continues, Khan may resolve to show to Belichick.
It will possibly end up any worse than when Khan employed City Meyer.
5. Bengals.
This one grew to become intriguing throughout Monday night time’s sudden loss to the Commanders. Nonetheless, I’ve added them to the listing for one purpose: To cross them off it.
The Bengals are positively too low cost to rent Belichick. Hell, they’re too low cost to fireplace Zac Taylor with three years left on his contract.
They, just like the Cowboys, can be too low cost to fireplace Taylor with solely one yr left on his contract.
6. Bears.
The franchise oozes historical past. Town, which feels just like the offspring of New York and Pittsburgh, oozes soccer. The roster oozes expertise, besides on the offensive line.
Would the Bears pay Belichick? Perhaps not.
Or possibly, in the event that they assume he is the man who can take the staff again to the sort of degree that may fire up sufficient public cash to pay for a brand new stadium.
