Atlanta – Bill Belichick, the former head coach of the New England Patriots and a highly respected figure in the NFL, is facing the possibility of being without a team for the upcoming 2024 season. Despite his illustrious career and status as one of the most successful coaches in modern NFL history, it appears increasingly likely that Belichick will not be taking on a head coaching role this year.
The Atlanta Falcons, the only team that Belichick interviewed with after leaving the Patriots, have decided to hire Raheem Morris as their head coach instead. This decision, coupled with the lack of any links between Belichick and the remaining vacancies with the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders, suggests that the 72-year-old coach may be left without a team for the upcoming season.
Belichick’s potential absence from the coaching scene in 2024 has significant implications for the league and his former club, the Patriots. One area that could be affected is the coaching staff. However, there is some good news for New England in this regard. It has been confirmed by new Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo that the team has extended offers to both of Belichick’s sons, Steve and Brian, to remain with the organization. Both sons have played integral roles in the team’s defensive success in recent seasons, and their knowledge of the system would be invaluable to a new head coach.
The potential departure of Belichick’s sons is not the only concern for the Patriots. The Belichick factor as a competing force on another team could have led to changes both in the coaching staff and the roster. With Belichick no longer in the running for a head coaching position, the dynamics within the Patriots organization may remain unchanged, and they will have the opportunity to retain players and coaches who may have otherwise looked elsewhere.
Furthermore, the search for an offensive coordinator could be affected by Belichick’s absence from the coaching scene. With Raheem Morris, who has worked with some of the Patriots’ offensive coordinator targets, taking on the head coaching position with the Falcons, it is possible that the Patriots’ own coaching staff construction may change as well. This could result in the loss of potential candidates for the offensive coordinator position, as other teams may look to hire individuals who have worked with Morris in the past.
One name to keep an eye on in the Patriots’ search for an offensive coordinator is Josh McDaniels. The former New England offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, who was fired as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, could be a potential candidate to reunite with Belichick in Atlanta or wherever he ends up. McDaniels brings a wealth of experience and success to the table, having run the Patriots’ offense autonomously during his tenure with the team.
In conclusion, the news that Bill Belichick may not be taking on a head coaching role in the 2024 NFL season has major implications for the league and the New England Patriots. The Patriots will need to consider the potential impact on their coaching staff and roster, as well as the search for an offensive coordinator. However, the absence of Belichick as a competing force could also present opportunities for the team to retain key personnel and potentially explore other options. As the situation develops, it will be interesting to see how the Patriots adapt and make decisions for the upcoming season.