Source: Belichick 'Considered' by Eagles Before Nick Sirianni Was Kept; What About 2024?

Source: Hiring Bill Belichick Was 'Considered' by Philadelphia Eagles Before Nick Sirianni Was Retained; What About 2024?

As we reported earlier this offseason and as merits reiteration now, right at the very top of the Philadelphia Eagles power pyramid, at some point late in the year as things seemed to be crumbling, the consideration of the name "Bill Belichick'' was mumbled.

That's as far as it ever went, however, and of course now coach Nick Sirianni is in place for 2024.

But that is not stopping the speculation - responsible and otherwise - about 2025. And we want to separate fact from fiction here.

Fact: Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is talking loudly about the idea of hiring free-agent coach Belichick in the future; that is as much a marketing move - just talking about it - as it is a football move.

Likely fact: The Eagles have it tucked away as an idea for the future, as suggested by Greg Bedard of Boston Sports Journal, who is confirming our reporting and adding that the Eagles "could be at the front of the line if things again go poorly for him next year.''

Rumor: Bedard is careful to mention the “rumor mill” at the Senior Bowl in his note, and that is the right framing. It is not practical for owner Jeff Lurie and the Eagles to go into 2024 so haunted by the 1-6 collapse and the 32-9 playoff loss to the Buccaneers to have The Ghost of Belichick haunting The Linc all season long.

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Bedard added, “I told you guys that before the end of the season that teams had already reached out to Bill, backchanneled on Bill ... I’m now pretty convinced that the Eagles were the other one.''

That constitutes a rumor, and we haven't been told that. Again, we're sticking with "mumbling,'' not out-and-out contacting FOBs (Friends of Bill). 

And now, in fairness to Sirianni? We will tuck away the "Belichick story'' for an appropriate in-2024-season day, a day that Eagles fans hope never comes.