While the Atlanta Falcons have been viewed as the eventual landing spot for future Hall-of-Fame coach Bill Belichick, one NFL insider believes the organization may be questioning if that is the right move for them.
Earlier this month, history was made when the New England Patriots and iconic head coach Bill Belichick decided to end their highly successful relationship after 24 seasons. While the Pats have quickly moved on to the Jerod Mayo era, the 71-year-old has yet to decide where he will continue his career.
Related: Atlanta Falcons still scrambling in head coaching search with no current frontrunner emerging
From the outset, multiple reports picked the Falcons as the favorite to acquire the six-time Super Bowl winner’s services. And it seems like Belichick only has eyes for Atlanta since he has had two interviews with the organization and has not spoken with any other franchise yet. For all intents and purposes, it looked like a contract to bring the coach to the ATL was an eventuality.
However, in recent days the Falcons have started to cast a much wider net and even had a conversation with highly-coveted Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh. The slowdown in progress has opened the door to speculation that Belichick to Atlanta is no longer a given, and it was something long-time NFL insider Peter King speculated about on Monday.
Are Atlanta Falcons reconsidering Bill Belichick interest?
“I believe we’ve all assumed Belichick was going to get a high-quality job, or at least, in the case of the Falcons, a decent job. Now the question is: Will he get one at all? Seems the Falcons are open to opening up this search after two meetings with the six-time Super Bowl champion head coach.
“Atlanta will have a second interview with Jim Harbaugh this week, and the Falcons seem to be interviewing every candidate of a high profile — Ben Johnson, Raheem Morris, Joe Brady, Aaron Glenn, Brian Callahan, Steve Wilks, Bobby Slowik, Mike Vrabel — and maybe even the Flowery Branch milkman. I also think the Falcons must be thinking, ‘If we hold Belichick in high regard, why does no other team?’
“He’s had no other interviews, at least not any we know of. It’s weird. Maybe teams sniffing around coaches don’t think hiring a soon-to-be 72-year-old guy regardless of resume is such a good idea.”
Related: Pro Bowl QB interested in joining Bill Belichick with the Atlanta Falcons
A new report on Sunday suggested a few teams with and without head coach openings are quietly considering a Bill Belichick pursuit in the coming days. At his age, the coach would probably be a better fit for a team that is closer to winning a championship, and the Atlanta Falcons are nowhere that at the moment.