NFL Insider Lays Out Significant Bill Belichick Preference for Next Team

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler outlined a key factor in the coach’s upcoming decision.

Although Bill Belichick’s tenure with the New England Patriots is over, his NFL coaching career certainly isn’t.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Tuesday on SportsCenter that Belichick has a distinct preference for his next NFL coaching gig. While there is “mutual interest” between the Atlanta Falcons and Belichick following his interview with the franchise on Monday, Fowler also outlined a key factor in the coach’s upcoming decision.

“I was told from the beginning that Belichick would likely target talented, yet underachieving teams,” Fowler reported Tuesday. “Atlanta probably falls in that category."

The Patriots and Belichick mutually parted ways last week after 24 seasons that included a 4–13 mark in the ‘23 campaign. In New England, Belichick won six Super Bowls and guided the franchise to 17 AFC East titles. 

Atlanta became an early destination to land Belichick after he became a free-agent coach.

The Falcons registered their third consecutive 7–10 season in 2023, leading to the firing of coach Arthur Smith. Atlanta has not reached the postseason since ’17 despite being on the cusp of potential playoff berths in the last three seasons. 

The Falcons currently hold the No. 8 pick in April’s NFL draft and are desperately in need of a new quarterback. With Atlanta already having some talent in place, the Falcons could potentially be a match for Belichick to revamp his NFL coaching career.