If the New England Patriots do move on from head coach Bill Belichick, the Atlanta Falcons, and a surprise NFC playoff team are viewed as serious contenders for the legendary head coach.
With Week 18 in the books and the 2023 NFL regular season complete, the focus of the football world Monday is on the future of many head coaches and executives around the league. Late on Sunday night, the Atlanta Falcons took a bold step by firing Arther Smith after three seasons as head coach. And on Monday morning, the Washington Commanders followed suit by axing Ron Rivera.
Related: 5 Atlanta Falcons coaching candidates to replace Arthur Smith
Now, much of the attention is on the New England Patriots and whether they will follow through on weeks of rumors and fire legendary head coach Bill Belichick. All signs point to a divorce coming in the next few days and a sweepstakes beginning for a potential trade to acquire the six-time Super Bowl winner.
Well, it seems if a chase for Belichick does begin soon, the Atlanta Falcons are viewed as an early favorite. On Monday Sports Illustrated NFL insider Albert Breer reported that “no less than a half dozen people I’ve talked to over the past week have linked the Falcons to [Belichick].”
Furthermore, The Athletic NFL insider Dianna Russini also claimed the Falcons are “a team to watch” in the race for Belichick.
Atlanta Falcons could have competition from Dallas Cowboys for Bill Belichick
However, in an interesting addition to the Belichick sweepstakes from fellow The Athletic NFL reporter Mike Sando, one NFL executive claimed that the Dallas Cowboys should be seen as a “sleeper” team for the 72-year-old head coach.
The Cowboys are a surprising addition since they have the No. 2 seed in the NFC side of the NFL playoffs and are on a roll heading into the postseason. Furthermore, head coach Mike McCarthy secured a third 12-win season as the leader of the team with another victory in Week 18.
The assumption on Dallas is likely because of owner Jerry Jones’ strong desire to win a Super Bowl now and rumblings that he might be willing to move on from McCarthy if he again falls short in the playoffs.