3 non-head coaching jobs Bill Belichick could take this offseason, including one storied franchise, and a rival

Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

With just two head coaching vacancies remaining, and with both teams not showing any official interest, it looks like Bill Belichick may get frozen out of the 2024 NFL hiring cycle. After 49 years of being an NFL coach in some capacity, is it possible for one of the greatest head coaches of all time to stay sidelined for the 2024 season?

Right now, that’s where Belichick may be headed, but what if he’s eager to stay involved in coaching and has no interest in taking a year off while he waits for the perfect opportunity to arise? This list highlights three other jobs that may interest the former New England Patriots head coach.

Miami Dolphins add defensive genius to match wits with Mike McDaniel

There’s no debating that the Miami Dolphins have one of, if not the best offense in the NFL, or at least they did in 2023. Yet, the defense wasn’t always able to keep up with Mike McDaniel’s excellence on offense, where the Dolphins ranked 22nd in points allowed. This didn’t prevent Miami from reaching the playoffs, but once they faced adverse weather conditions at Arrowhead, Patrick Mahomes sliced and diced his way to the next round.

For whatever reason, Vic Fangio and the Dolphins agreed to part ways after the season, leaving the Dolphins without a defensive coordinator at the moment. But what if Bill Belichick wanted to get some revenge on the New England Patriots by teaming up with an AFC East division rival?

Pairing McDaniel’s bright offensive mind with Belichick’s defensive acumen could result in one magnificent season. If Belichick could turn the Dolphins into a top-ten defense while helping them get much further in the playoffs, possibly even securing a Super Bowl win, why wouldn’t he receive more consideration to become a head coach again? Plus, living in Miami wouldn’t be all that bad.

Bill Belichick teams up with Sean McVay on Los Angeles Rams

Another potential fit for Belichick could be on the Los Angeles Rams with Sean McVay. Now that Raheem Morris stole Belichick’s job with the Atlanta Falcons, the Rams have a vacancy at the defensive coordinator position. Yet, McVay just showed that he’s nowhere near burnt out, and is still one of the best NFL head coaches around.

However, as much as McVay can help on offense, he relies on others to handle the defense, as expected. That’s where Belichick could provide a steady hand, bringing over four decades of experience to the defense. Not to mention, Belichick and McVay have developed a strong bond since the Patriots defeated the Rams in Super Bowl LII. Could it be that John McVay’s grandson, who was once coach of the Giants, works alongside one of the greatest coaches in NFL history? It sure would be fun to see.

Belichick returning to New York Giants would be glorious

You know we had to save the best for last. If there’s one team that Bill Belichick would likely leap at coaching, it’s the New York Giants. It’s where he experienced his first overwhelming success in the NFL, spending 12 seasons in the Big Apple, which is his second-longest tenure with any team.

During that time, Belichick rose to fame for creating a dominant 3-4 defense, led by NFL MVP winner Lawrence Taylor. There hasn’t been a single defensive player to win MVP since Taylor accomplished the feat in 1986, but Belichick managed to help LT become one of the greatest players in league history. Yet, Belichick would probably humbly tell you that was all thanks to Taylor’s greatness.

Either way, Taylor helped the Giants win two Super Bowls as a defensive coordinator before winning six more as a head coach with the Patriots. Now the Giants are in need of another defensive playcaller after moving on from Wink Martindale, and Belichick already has a connection with head coach Brian Daboll, who spent 11 seasons on New England’s coaching staff.

While it may be odd to have your former boss suddenly be your right-hand man, can you name a better candidate to maintain the Giants’ 3-4 defensive front?