As strange as it is to think about, the NFL might not have Bill Belichick on the sideline coaching in 2024.
After weeks of being linked to the Atlanta Falcons coaching job, that franchise reportedly moved on to hire Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris instead on Thursday.
The coaching legend may not land any of the other NFL jobs available, which would possibly lead him to pursuing other career opportunities, at least for the 2024 season.
We’ve looked at the five possible paths Belichick could take as he tries to sort out what his next move will be post-New England Patriots.
Belichick could still coach in 2024 for a different team, like the Seahawks
There are two jobs left in the NFL coaching cycle: the Seattle Seahawks and the Washington Commanders. If either of them want to make a run at Belichick, he’s still a free agent and could interview with them at any time.
However, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones cast some doubt on whether or not those teams would have interest in the veteran coach.
Regarding Bill Belichick: The Seahawks and Commanders are the final two vacant jobs. Washington has had no interest in pursuing Belichick and appear focused on Ben Johnson. Seattle hasn't requested to interview Belichick.
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) January 25, 2024
It’s always possible another vacancy could open up with another team, even of those odds are low.
Of all the career options on this list, this is the one that feels the least likely for Belichick right now, especially since those Andy Reid retirement rumors might not hold much water, per CBS Sports’ Tracy Wolfson.
From my conversations with a lot of people close to Andy Reid and 2 years left on his contract I would be very surprised if Reid retired#Chiefs https://t.co/cN3wH1YOM5
— Tracy Wolfson (@tracywolfson) January 25, 2024
Belichick sits out a year, relaxes and waits for an opportunity in 2025 (like the Cowboys)
It’s very possible Belichick might take a year, get some rest/relaxation and try again during the 2025 NFL coaching cycle.
Maybe a year away would make him value the career transition and retire outright, but chasing Don Shula’s all-time NFL wins record can still be accomplished by him taking on a job next winter.
Watch for a team like the Dallas Cowboys, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Jacksonville Jaguars or the Buffalo Bills. Those all feel like contending franchises who could very easily make changes with disappointing 2024 seasons.
Belichick could do television for a year (before heading back to coaching next year)
Maybe Belichick will head to television for a year and get paid to talk about football before going back to coach in 2025?
If the future Hall of Fame coach decides to go this route, every network that broadcasts NFL coverage will want him. ESPN, NBC, CBS, Fox Sports, you name it, he’d have plenty of suitors.
He’ll become one of the more coveted broadcast free agents in some time. While we’re not sure if he’d want to travel extensively and do game-by-game commentaries, we could easily see him doing a studio gig and getting paid handsomely for it, even if it’s just for a season.
Belichick could transition into an advisory role for another NFL franchise
Would Belichick be okay not coaching if he could still be active in an NFL franchise with a front office role?
Maybe an NFL team would love having the Patriots legend around to help make decisions for their football operations, whether it be guiding a young head coach or leading a personnel department.
Belichick’s tenure as New England’s general manager didn’t get positive reviews in the last decade or so, but it’s very possible another NFL team would be interested in just having Belichick in the building in an advisory role.
We’re not sure this would be Belichick’s preferred option, but it might be his best chance to stay around the NFL if future coaching opportunities don’t materialize as predicted.
Belichick could decide to retire
We do wonder if Belichick has coached his last game in the NFL, and that he doesn’t want to do television or any franchise advising.
It’s possible he just steps away altogether and retires from his storied football career with six Super Bowls and a future gold jacket to show for it.
Belichick could always write a book that would be a hot seller, or he could just enjoy his time telling his pals up in New England all the football stories they’d want to hear.
We’re not sure Belichick will want the 2023 Patriots season to be his last mark on football, but you can’t rule out him stepping away entirely and just enjoying the rest of his life away from the game.
Our guess?
We’re betting Belichick takes a year away from the NFL and does television with Fox Sports, where he can reunite with former Patriots like Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman and, yep, Tom Brady.
Look at what Sean Payton did: he worked in T.V. for a season at Fox Sports before coaching the Denver Broncos the following season.
That’s our guess for Belichick: he’ll get the opportunity to talk about the game with some of his old players for the folks at home before trying for another NFL job in 2025 (like the Cowboys).
