When the NFL offseason began, there were a total of eight NFL head coaching vacancies, if you count the New England Patriots. The assumption was that Bill Belichick would have no trouble finding work as an NFL head coach again this offseason. Yet, after the Atlanta Falcons, who seemed primed to hire Belichick, decided to hire Raheem Morris instead, who’s left?
The Falcons are the only team who has officially been linked to Belichick, but after hiring Morris, now there are just two head coaching vacancies remaining. At this point, it’s getting harder to see Belichick as an NFL head coach in 2024. How is that even possible? Let’s examine the possible reasons why Belichick could be couch-bound next season.
Related: Should the Atlanta Falcons hire Bill Belichick as its coach?
Is Coach Belichick pricing himself out of a job?
Before the New England Patriots and Bill Belichick mutually agreed to part ways, he was the NFL’s highest-paid head coach of all time, earning a salary of $20 million per season. For whatever reason, team owner Robert Kraft seemed to feel like Belichick was no longer earning his pay. Based on the fact that the Patriots ended up finishing in last place of the AFC East for the first time since 2000, Kraft may have been wise to distance himself from his longtime coach.
Yet, once Belichick became available, the expectation was that he’d quickly find a new team eager to make the future Hall of Famer their new locker room leader. However, that’s not what has happened. We don’t know the specifics of Belichick’s demands, but it’s possible he’s ‘priced himself out of the competition’ by angling for top dollar again.
After all, there isn’t a single coach in NFL history with a better resume than Belichick. Requesting to remain the NFL’s highest-paid coach shouldn’t cause anyone to balk at the idea, but teams are also always trying to save pennies anywhere they can. It’s possible that’s what’s happened here. But there are other possibilities Belichick hasn’t found a new home yet.
Does Bill Belichick still have ‘it’?
Another big question teams may be asking is whether Bill Belichick still ‘has it’. The narrative that continues to grow suggests Tom Brady carried the Patriots to those six Super Bowl victories, and after TB12 added another ring to his collection after departing from New England, Belichick’s reputation has only weakened.
Somehow, since Brady left, we’ve seen the Patriots become a bottom-dweller. With Belichick also having final say over the roster in New England, others have questioned whether Belichick’s lost his eye for talent. After all, for the first time since 2020, the Patriots didn’t have a single player named to the Pro Bowl roster this past season. If Belichick’s not drafting well, identifying hidden gems, or coaching his athletes into top players, then what’s the point? Why are we paying him all this money? That’s just another point up for debate regarding hiring the respected coach.
Related: 5 Washington Commanders coaching candidates
Belichick’s desire for control could lead to no NFL head coaching job in 2024
Lastly, there’s been plenty of speculation that Bill Belichick just isn’t ready to hand over full team control just yet. After building a dynasty in New England while coaching and acting as general manager, there’s a certain level of belief that Belichick wants the same role wherever he goes next.
But teams don’t seem willing to allow Belichick to have the same amount of power. Aside from Jerry Jones, who likes to meddle and acts as team owner while also having final say over his roster, there isn’t a single other top decision-maker with similar control as Belichick. When it comes to coaching the team and having roster control as GM, Belichick could be a dying breed. That is, until someone else proves themselves capable, just as ‘The Hoodie’ once did.
For now, it appears that Belichick could sit out the 2024 season while waiting for the right opportunity to become a head coach again. But the longer he waits, the harder it will be for him to convince an NFL owner to fork over several millions per year. Then again, Belichick could also always join another team as a defensive coordinator or find another role that allows him to stay heavily involved in football in 2024. Sitting here right now, it’s hard to imagine the NFL without Belichick involved in some capacity.
