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Like Brady in 2023, Belichick Inducted Into Patriots Hall of Fame in 2024? - BELICHICK BLOG

Welcome to the home of the latest breaking news, juicy rumors and assorted tidbits surrounding the end of Bill Belichick's legendary career coaching the New England Patriots.

Richie Whitt

In this story:

With records of 31 playoff wins and six Super Bowls, along with 333 overall victories and three Coach of the Year awards over 29 seasons, Bill Belichick is one of the greatest head coaches in the history of the NFL and American sports.

As of Jan. 11, he also became the former coach of the New England Patriots and a presumably coveted free agent.

Patriots - Robert Kraft Last Press Conference

While the Pats move on with new coach Jerod Mayo, Belichick seeks to land with another team next season.

The latest breaking news, juicy rumors and assorted tidbits ...

FEB. 14 BELICHICK APPRECIATION DAY IN FOXBORO 2024? - If it was good enough for Tom Brady, how about for Bill Belichick?

When the Patriots' quarterback returned to Foxboro for an "appreciation day" last September, owner Robert Kraft waived the customary four-year, post-retirement waiting period and announced that Brady would be inducted into the team's Hall of Fame this Summer. When the legendary coach left the organization Jan. 11, Kraft left the door open for a similar honor ... but not what Belichick was still an active coach in the NFL.

Said Kraft at the time, "It would be awkward while he's still coaching. Everything in life is timing ... so we'll have to wait for that."

At the time, Belichick was figured to receive numerous job offers. Turns out he didn't receive any, despite two interviews with the Falcons. In 2024 Belichick will likely be without a job in the NFL for the first time since 1974.

So ... how about back-to-back years with Hall-of-Fame announcements at Gillette Stadium for Brady and Belichick?

Only 15 wins shy of tying Don Shula's record for all-time NFL wins, Belichick desperately wants to coach again. But in 2024 he might have plenty of free time on Sundays.

FEB. 9 FALCONS OWNER NEVER OFFERED JOB TO BELICHICK - Maybe rule this one as a Boomer Esiason interception?

A couple days after the former NFL quarterback and current CBS analyst claimed that Belichick turned down a job offer to be head coach of the Falcons, Atlanta owner Arthur Blank fired back Friday saying the position was never in play for the Patriots' legendary coach.

Said Blank to ESPN, "Where Boomer heard that from, I have no idea."

Though Belichick interviewed twice with the Falcons and for a long time was considered the leading candidate, Atlanta ultimately hired Raheem Morris.

FEB. 9 BIJAN EXPECTED BELICHICK ON FALCONS - Though Belichick interviewed twice with the Falcons and for a long time was considered the leading candidate, Atlanta ultimately hired Raheem Morris as its head coach.

Maybe the Falcons turned Belichick down or - according to CBS' Boomer Esiason - perhaps Belichick turned down the Falcons.

Regardless, the plot twist surprised not only the media and NFL insiders, but also Falcons players ... such as star running back Bijan Robinson.

"That's who I was expecting we were gonna hire," Robinson said Friday on Fox Sports 1. "I thought it was gonna be Belichick. Obviously, he's the greatest coach of all time."

So did Bijan expect Bill, or ... want Bill?

"I'm used to the coaches that are strictly business and want to win right away," Robinson said. "I was definitely prepared to have him come to Atlanta."

Given their paltry offense, the Patriots could have used Robinson in 2023.

FEB. 8 BELICHICK GETS SUPPORT FROM UNLIKELY HALL OF FAMER - In lambasting his former Dallas Cowboys, Hall-of-Fame receiver Terrell Owens wound up lauding Patriots' legend Belichick. In an interview on the Up & Adams show, T.O. criticized the ownership style of Jerry Jones.

"He's selling the fanbase Fool's Gold every year," Owens said. "He's not losing. He may not win in the playoffs, but with those fans buying his product and going to that billion-dollar stadium ... he's winning."

T.O. said Jones could have made a franchise-changing hire this offseason.

"If they would've got Bill Belichick,"  he said, "then they got something. But when you're a billionaire you do what you want to do with your money. He ain't listening to us."

Though "Belichick to the Cowboys" was a juicy rumor after the regular season - and was even fueled by Jones saying he'd love to work with the iconic coach one day - the owner is brining back coach Mike McCarthy in Dallas and Belichick is left without a job in the NFL for the first time since 1974.

FEB. 7 NFL COMMISSIONER ROGER GOODELL REACTS TO BELICHICK'S ABSENCE - After Sunday's Super Bowl LVIII, next season will quickly become this season and the NFL might be staring at a season without Belichick for the first time since 1974.

Regardless of whose version you prefer - the Falcons say they passed Belichick; Boomer Esiason says Bill passed on Atlanta - the former Patriots legend won't be a head coach in 2024. He could take a defensive coordinator job (unlikely) or perhaps spend a year doing TV (likely).

In his state of the union press conference this week in Las Vegas, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the reality of a league without Belichick for the first time in 50 years.

"I think he’ll be missed," Goodell said. "But I have a feeling he’ll still be around the game.”

Oh? Sounds like the Commish knows something ...

“I’ve talked to him since the end of the season,” Goodell said. "“I think he’s done so much for this league. He’s changed the game in many ways, he’s brought innovation and I don’t think anyone can take anything away from his record.”

FEB. 6 BOOMER SAYS BILL TURNED DOWN FALCONS - According to Boomer Esiason, we should hold off on those sympathy cards for Belichick. Because according to the former quarterback-turned-TV-analyst-radio host who will work Super Bowl LVIII this weekend on CBS, it was the former Patriots' coaching legend who turned down the Falcons and not vice-versa.

Belichick, who wrote a "thank you" letter to New England fans over the weekend, twice interviewed in Atlanta and was thought to be the leading candidate until the Falcons surprisingly hired Raheem Morris last week. But on New York radio station WFAN Monday, Esiason claimed Belichick refused a job offer from Falcons owner Arthur Blank.

“I don’t know why guys say no, but legitimately an NFL executive basically told me that they believe that Arthur Blank offered Bill the job," Esiason said on his “Boomer and Gio” show. “Now, there may have been some caveats to that offer, you never know, it’s never ‘OK Bill, I want you, here’s a five-year contract, you do whatever you want.’ I don’t think it was one of those.”

Regardless of who turned down whom, Belichick heads into the 2024 season without a job in the NFL for the first time since 1974. Maybe, however, it's by his own choosing?

“The way it was made and sounded to me was like ‘OK, I understand your concerns, but you’re gonna have to deal with some of this and we want you to come in, we want you to be the coach,’ and then maybe he just thought better of it,” Esiason said. “And just maybe he said ‘You know what? I don’t want to go right back in. I want a year away. I want to see what happens,’ because as we know there will be about five or six job openings next year, and there may be a better situation where an owner says ‘you know what? I wanna go down this path with you and I want you to take my building over and I want you to run it the way that you ran it with the New England Patriots.'”

FEB. 5 BELICHICK'S INTERVIEW WITH COMMANDERS FELL FLAT - We've chronicled how Belichick dramatically fell from being the leading candidate for the Falcons' job to being beaten out by Raheem Morris.

The familiar failures of his candidacy: Wanted too much control ... lack of success without Tom Brady ... mishandling of Mac Jones ... trouble relating to new generation of players.

Now details are arising from Belichick's "interview" with the Commanders. Washington hired former Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn last week, but not after at least having a conversation with the Patriots legend.

According to a story in the Washington Post, new Commanders' general manager Adam Peters spoke to Belichick during the hiring process. "It was a kick the tires conversation," the story says. "But it really didn't go anywhere."

With all head coaching jobs filled, Belichick remains on the sideline and possibly out of job in the NFL for the first time since 1974.

FEB. 2 BELICHICK'S SON LEAVING PATRIOTS - The more things don't stay the same, we get the feeling Robert Kraft, Jerod Mayo and the Patriots are blaming Belichick for the last four years' spiral beyond mediocrity into the NFL cellar.

Not only was the Hall of Fame coach allowed to leave Jan. 11, but none of his cronies are being retained. Bill O'Brien is gone. Josh McDaniels isn't returning. And Mike Vrabel didn't even get a sniff, apparently.

Now comes word Friday afternoon that Belichick's son, Stephen, is also leaving the organization. According to ESPN, the outside linebackers coach - who worked closely with Mayo on the defense the last three years - will interview for a job at the University of Washington. Also leaving for Washington is running backs coach Vinnie Sunseri. Washington's new head coach is Jedd Fisch, who was the Patriots' quarterbacks coach in 2020.

Mayo confirmed that he offered Stephen and Brian Belichick (safeties coach) jobs to remain on his staff, but in a demoted, "senior advisor" type of role. The promoting of DeMarcus Covington to defense coordinator and hiring of Alex Van Pelt as offensive coordinator likely spurned the departures of Belichick's family from Foxboro.

After going 29-39 without a playoff win in the four years after Tom Brady left, the Patriots are finally out of the family business.

FEB. 2 BRADY SR. BLASTS "HORRIBLE" BELICHICK - In the spirit of kick-them-when-they're down, not only is Belichick unemployed for the first time in 50 years but now also Tom Brady's father is calling him "horrible."

Brady and Belichick won six Super Bowls together, so something must have worked. But the quarterback's father, Tom Brady Sr., told the Boston Globe this week that the coach's interpersonal skills were "horrible" that his "ego" helped end New England's dynasty.

“How many times has (Belichick) said - back in ‘15 or ‘16 - that he wanted to win without Tommy? When he went without Tommy, he didn’t know what he was losing," Brady Sr. said. "You’re losing more than just a quarterback. Ego sometimes gets in the way of things. I think it did with Bill. Now, he’s in a situation where he’s gotten crucified for the last few years by everybody, and a lot of luster has come off his rose.”

After failing to get any of the seven NFL head coaching openings, Belichick is a free agent with perhaps only a "demotion" to Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator or a TV gig in line for 2024.

FEB. 1 BELICHICK: INTEREST FROM COMMANDERS; HEADED TO COWBOYS? - Before we bury Belichick in a TV gig for 2024, maybe put down those shovels?

Turns out that - before deciding to hire Dan Quinn as their new head coach - the Commanders had interest in the former Patriots' legend. According to The Athletic, in fact, Washington "spoke with" Bill. Maybe not a formal interview, but ...

"Bill Belichick was considered for the job, per sources," The Athletic said in a Thursday tweet. "The Commanders spoke with him and he had support from some decision makers."

So Bill lost out to Raheem Morris in Atlanta and Quinn in Washington. But ... let's connect some dots.

Quinn was defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys. He's reportedly taking with him Joe Whitt Jr., one of Dallas' top candidates to replace him. The Cowboys need a defensive makeover. Belichick needs a job. And we know Jerry Jones covets Bill, big time.

Question: Would Belichick swallow his pride, take a defensive coordinator job and position himself to be Mike McCarthy's replacement? Or will he simply retreat to a TV booth/studio and bide his team for McCarthy's potential collapse and firing?

FEB. 1 COWBOYS HIRE COACH; BELICHICK BENCHED - With the Washington Commanders officially hiring Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn as their new head coach on Thursday, former a Patriots legend Bill Belichick is officially out of options in 2024.

Eight new head coaches have been hired for next season ... none of them are the most successful in NFL history. The Commanders (Quinn), Seahawks (Mike Macdonald), Falcons (Raheem Morris), Patriots (Jerod Mayo), Titans (Brian Callahan), Chargers (Jim Harbaugh), Raiders (Antonio Pierce) and Panthers (Dave Canales) all filled openings.

Belichick got two interviews with Atlanta and was long thought to be its leading candidate, but now he'll head into an NFL offseason without a job for the first time since 1974.

Most believe in 2024 Belichick will wind up on TV, where he should have plenty of suitors. And, come 2025, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is already flirting with him as the potential successor to Mike McCarthy.

JAN. 31 SEAHAWKS MAKE HIRE; BELICHICK ALMOST OUT OF OPTIONS - With the Seattle Seahawks' hiring of Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald as their head coach Wednesday afternoon, former Patriots legend Bill Belichick is almost out of options for 2024.

The only team left with a vacancy is the Washington Commanders. They have interviewed five available candidates since firing Ron Rivera after a 4-13 season, but have shown no interest in Belichick.

He has held a job in the NFL for 50 consecutive seasons, since beginning as a special assistant for the Baltimore Colts in 1974.

Belichick will likely begin perusing TV jobs for next season, and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones already is hinting about him being a top option to potentially replace Mike McCarthy in 2025.

JAN. 29 TEAMS CHOOSING ANALYTICS OVER BELICHICK? - As it looks more and more like the NFL in 2024 will hold a season without Bill Belichick for the first time in 50 years, several theories abound on why teams with vacancies passed on the most successful head coach in the history of pro football.

Belichick parted ways with the Patriots Jan. 11, got interest from the Falcons, but now appears set to be benched as Atlanta chose Raheem Morris. Belichick has held a job in the NFL every season since starting as a special assistant with the Baltimore Colts in 1974.

Various reports indicate the Falcons were ultimately leery of Belichick's age, lack of success without Tom Brady and insistence on organizational control. NFL insider Peter King offered another reason over the weekend, again speaking to Belichick's "old-school" ways finally working against him.

“One other theory I buy for the market being cool to him is that most teams over the past decade have built staffs of football analytics people, with pipelines to the coaching staff and urging from management for coaches to use the work of these brainiacs,” King wrote in his latest Football Morning in America column. “Belichick’s been lukewarm, at best, to analytics. So, an owner who hires Belichick might have to fire a part of the building in which they believe strongly.”

JAN. 27 BELICHICK 'PISSED' AT FALCONS SNUB - Once upon a time, Bill Belichick engineered a miraculous rally to lead the Patriots over the Falcons in Super Bowl LI. 28-3 ring a bell?

It certainly isn't revenge and it's not exactly karma, but seven years after Belichick's epic comeback he's now on the opposite end - blowing a big lead with the same team.

Like a lot of folks, over the last 10 days Belichick thought he had the Falcons head coaching job. But now that Atlanta ran the ol' end-around and surprisingly hired Raheem Morris instead, he's reacting.

And, apparently, he's "pissed."

During a Saturday morning appearance on NBC Sports Boston, Greg Bedard of the Boston Sports Journal offered his insight into Belichick's thinking about Atlanta's decision.

"I think Bill thought he had the Falcons in his back pocket," Bedard said. "Arthur Blank - I know - certainly wanted to hire Bill early in the process, but got away from him because Arthur Blank is one of those guys who listens to everybody."

Belichick interviewed with Blank first, and was the first candidate to interview with the Falcons twice. But, after conducting more than a dozen interviews and consulting his front-office staff, the Falcons owner ultimately said "No" to a coach widely considered as the greatest in the history of the NFL.

The decision left few options in 2024 available for Belichick, who has no other interviews scheduled. After a quarter-century in Foxboro, he parted ways with the Patriots Jan. 11.

"I think he's pissed,'' Bedard said. "I think he's really upset about this. I think he had this job.''

JAN. 26 NO INTERVIEWS, NOW WHAT FOR BELICHICK? - Either Bill Belichick has lost his fastball, or the NFL has lost its mind.

How else do we explain a cycle of head coaching hirings about to end in which the former Patriots legend and future Hall of Famer received interest from only one team and not a single job offer?

Who knows, perhaps the latest wild rumor about Belichick will happen: Andy Reid will retire after the season, opening the door for the Chiefs to hire Belichick. NFL insider Adam Schefter isn't exactly "reporting" it, but merely "speculating." Maybe ... but, let's face it, none of the gazillion other predictions from Belichick's cronies and sycophants about him being "highly coveted" and able to "choose his next job"  have come true.

Including Atlanta.

The Falcons interviewed Belichick twice but ultimately chose Raheem Morris. Why? According to ESPN, they were too leery of Belichick's age (72 in April), lack of success without Tom Brady (Patriots went 29-39 without a playoff win since he left in 2020), and demand for total organizational control (New England "lost" eight of its last 10 drafts and this season had no Pro Bowl players for the first time since 2000).

Resting on his 333 wins, six Super Bowl and three Coach of the Year awards, Belichick was the prospective new employee that hauls in boxes of old-school file folders to the interview and expects to be handed the job at a tech company specializing in microchips.

Last March when Patriots reporters asked Belichick what he would say to fans in order to get them to be optimistic for 2023, he arrogantly responded, “the last 25 years." NFL teams, turns out, have also been paying attention the last five years and, therefore, aren't blindly rolling out the red carpet and tossing him the keys to their castle.

The Cowboys shoved out Tom Landry for Jimmy. Did the Patriots move out Belichick for Jerod?

He did, after all, leave the franchise in tatters. The Patriots were the worst offense in the NFL this season, shut out twice at home and held to one touchdown or less in eight of their 17 games. They lost consecutive games 38-3 and 34-0. Receivers coach Ross Douglas left for a lateral move to a college staff. Offensive line coach Adrian Klemm got sick and never returned. Left tackle Trent Brown quit on the team. Belichick cut cornerback Jack Jones, who went to the Raiders and produced two Pick 6s in the final month of the season. The decision to let receiver Jakobi Meyers walk and instead sign JuJu Smith-Schuster was gross mismanagement.

Harsh truth: Dynasties and glory in between notwithstanding, Belichick might have left the Patriots in worse shape than when he arrived a quarter-century ago.

So, now what? The Commanders and Seahawks still have openings, but NFL Network reports they have no interest and that Belichick has no interviews scheduled.

In 2024 will he do TV? Defensive coordinator? Take a year off and try to get a head coaching job in 2025? Perhaps even retire?

Belichick is only 15 wins from breaking Don Shula's mark and becoming the NFL's all-time winningest coach. You know his ego froths for that record to punctuate his legacy.

But where, when, and how?

JAN. 25 FALCONS CHOOSE MORRIS OVER BELICHICK - Despite completing two interviews - and being the first candidate to do so - it appears Patriots legend Bill Belichick has been beaten out of the Atlanta Falcons head coaching job by Raheem Morris.

NFL Network reported Thursday afternoon that the Falcons are "zeroing in" on the Rams defensive coordinator, former head coach of the Buccaneers and ex Atlanta assistant.

After parting ways with the Patriots Jan. 11, Belichick almost immediately became the frontrunner in Atlanta. He talked face-to-face with Arthur Blank on the Falcons owner's yacht, and a week later met in Atlanta with the team's CEO, president and general manager.

A week ago, NFL on CBS insider Josina Anderson all but declared Belichick the new coach of the Falcons, writing that she "expected" it to happen.

The Falcons interviewed 14 candidates for their head coaching vacancy. They conducted second interviews with Ejiro Evero and Bobby Slowik, and had Mike Vrabel in the building on Wednesday.

With the Falcons apparently out of the picture it's startlingly unclear what the options are for the 71-year-old Belichick, as he hasn't been interviewed by any other teams. The Commanders and Seahawks are the only teams remaining with head coaching vacancies.

 JAN. 25 BELICHICK NO LONGER FAVORITE FOR FALCONS JOB - Once predicted to be coveted by every NFL team with a head coaching vacancy, former Patriots legend Bill Belichick may now not be sought by any.

ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter said on Thursday's Get Up! that Belichick is "not the favorite" to be hired by the Falcons and that the future Hall of Famer may wind up not getting a job offer at all.

"The Falcons have shown that they are interested in a lot of people and in their own words, they described to me over the weekend that their coaching search after they met with Belichick for a second time is 'wide open'," Schefter said. "So, if it's wide open after you've met with Bill Belichick twice, that certainly tells you that he's not the favorite for the job."

The Falcons have interviewed 14 candidates. Belichick has only interviewed with Atlanta. A report last week by NFL on CBS insider Josina Anderson said she "expected" Belichick to be hired by the Falcons.

But Schefter is reporting that teams are skittish about Belichick's age (72 in April), lack of success without Tom Brady, and the amount of organizational control he demands.

"Here we have the greatest coach of all time sitting there with a lack of interest, which boggles my mind," said Schefter. "There's the real possibility that he's not going to get any of these head coaching jobs."

JAN. 24 CHARGERS HIRE HARBAUGH - The worst-kept secret in football officially got out Wednesday as the Chargers hired Jim Harbaugh as their head coach. Can the second worst-kept connection - Belichick to the Falcons - be far behind?

After leading Michigan to a National Championship three weeks ago, Harbaugh accepted a five-year deal to return to the NFL.

"Jim Harbaugh is football personified, and I can think of no one better to lead the Chargers forward," owner Dean Spanos said in a statement.

With Harbaugh officially off the market and out of the picture in Atlanta, the former Patriots legend confirms his spot as the leading candidate to get the job. The Falcons have met their Rooney Rule requirements and can announce their hiring any time.

JAN. 24 HARBAUGH, FALCONS POSTPONE SECOND INTERVIEW? - With daily plot twists it's difficult to keep up, but let's try to get this straight: As for the Falcons head coaching job, Jim Harbaugh is (voluntarily) out? Former Patriots coach Bill Belichick and everybody else (seemingly) is in?

Apparently inching closer to accepting a job with the Chargers, Harbaugh and the Falcons postponed his scheduled second meeting Tuesday in Atlanta. He is being hotly pursued by both the Falcons and in his current job with the University of Michigan. so perhaps he was simply using Atlanta's interest as negotiating leverage.

NFL Network, however, is reporting that Harbaugh's second interview - scheduled for Thursday - still a go. 

Harbaugh's potential exit would seemingly pave the way for leading candidate Belichick to wind up as Atlanta's next coach. But the Falcons' exhaustive coaching search has turned into a season of American Idol with its dizzying, diverse candidates.

The Falcons have held two interviews with Belichick, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris and Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. They are scheduled to do the same with Houston Texans' offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik on Thursday.

Oh, and their first interview with former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Vrabel is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.

Overall, the franchise has interviewed more than a dozen candidates. Belichick completed his second interview on Jan. 15.

With the second interview of Evero, the Falcons are in compliance with the NFL's Rooney Rule and can hire a head coach at any time.

JAN. 23 HARBAUGH CLOSING IN ON CHARGERS JOB - With Jim Harbaugh reportedly "within reach" of finalizing a deal to become head coach of the Chargers, does that further clear a path for Belichick to the Falcons?

NFL Network and Pro Football Talk on Tuesday indicated that the Michigan coach is closing in on the Chargers job. He was scheduled for a second interview in Atlanta, and was thought to be the main competition for that job with the former Patriots coach.

“This feels like we’re now in the zone where something could happen between the Chargers and Jim Harbaugh in the near future," NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo said. “They’re now in the point where they’re going to discuss staffing, when it comes to general manager and coaching staff, who’s going to work alongside Harbaugh as well, so this feels like advancing to the point where if everybody is comfortable with a lot of the principle factors at play, that this team could move on Jim Harbaugh and try to get him under the contract here in the near future.”

Harbaugh played for the Chargers in San Diego 1999-2000.

Added Pro Football Talk, "He wants it.”

Harbaugh is the betting favorite to be the Chargers' coach; Belichick still the leading candidate in Atlanta.

JAN. 22 PARCELLS REACTS TO BELICHICK'S DEPARTURE FROM PATRIOTS - Both of Belichick's best friends/mentors in football are now both out of football. Nick Saban retired from Alabama two weeks ago. Bill Parcells, who last coached a game in the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys in 2006, has finally shared his thoughts on Bill leaving the Patriots.

“Coaching can be a narcotic for guys like us," Parcells said in an interview with the Boston Globe over the weekend. "I can put Pete Carroll and Bill in there. We view ourselves as coaches. It can be a grind, and the older you get, sometimes the grind gets greater, but we love the game. After a while, you know it’s going to end sometime, but it’s never a good time.”

Belichick began with the New York Giants in 1979 as a special teams coach under Ray Perkins. When Parcells became the two years later, Belichick became his right-hand man and worked with the linebackers, including a rookie first-round draft pick named Lawrence Taylor.

So what advice would Parcells give Belichick now that the 71-year-old clearly wants to keep coaching and is the leading candidate to get the job with the Atlanta Falcons?

"He’s been around long enough to know what he wants to do, and I really don’t have any idea what that is," Parcells said. "All I know is, he’s a football lifer. He’ll be looking for a situation that he thinks is conducive to winning. In this business, it’s either euphoria or disaster. I hope he does whatever makes him happy.”

JAN. 22 BELICHICK TO THE BILLS? - An AFC East rival that currently has a head coach might be a surprise landing spot for the former Patriots legend. Bill Belichick to the ... Buffalo Bills?

Former Bills and Jets coach Rex Ryan - these days an ESPN NFL analyst - made the bold prediction Monday morning on TV's Get Up! and a New York radio station.

“This is the craziest thing: Buffalo might be the spot where Bill Belichick goes,” Ryan said. “I’m just saying, if ownership thinks (Sean McDermott has) taken this team as far as (he) can, which I’m not saying that they should do it, but this could do it. Who could take us to the next level? Well, Bill Belichick. And I’m not saying that it’s definitely gonna happen, but I would not be shocked.”

The Bills, who have won the last four AFC East titles as the Patriots have plunged to the cellar, were eliminated Sunday night by the Chiefs. Coach Sean McDermott just finished his seventh season in Western New York, leading his team to a Divisional Round ouster for the third consecutive season.

“I’m not saying it’s gonna happen," Ryan explained on ESPN. "But I’m just throwing it out there. Believe me, I’m not just being reckless when I’m saying it. If you’re going to move on from him (McDermott), make no mistake, it’s for one guy. It’s for Bill Belichick.”

Belichick has completed two interviews in Atlanta is is the leading candidate to be the next head coach of the Falcons.

JAN. 22 ONE HITCH IN BILL TO FALCONS? - While Belichick remains the heavy favorite to be the next head coach of the Falcons, new information arose over the weekend as to why it hasn't happened yet and why Atlanta continues to interview other candidate.

Belichick has competed two interviews. The Falcons have also met with Jim Harbaugh twice and plan this week to talk to Mike Vrabel.

Why isn't Belichick a slam dunk? According to Sports Illustrated, he might not get along with CEO Rich McKay.

“That setup might need more adjusting, because it’s hard to see Belichick being comfortable with any sort of arrangement where he’s reporting to McKay,” Albert Breer wrote. “Mostly because, well, those two haven’t been on the same page over the years, with the former Patriot coach’s (often open) disdain for the NFL’s competition committee that McKay has long chaired.”

Belichick once said mockingly that the competition committee has “all the answers” and called out the group in 2017 as they looked to tinker with rules to take away the impact of kickoffs. He did say after the Patriots season that he would be willing to relinquish some control to keep his job.

But, let's be honest, Belichick has never been comfortable answering to anyone other than Belichick.

JAN. 21 FORMER PATRIOTS JOSH McDANIELS RUMORED TO FOLLOW BILL BELICHICK TO NEXT DESTINATION - The Belichickian coaching tree may be shedding some of its leaves heading into 2024, but its arguably strongest roots might be remaining intact. 

Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, who completed his second interview with the Atlanta Falcons on Friday for their vacant head coaching position, is reportedly considering hiring fellow ex-Pat Josh McDaniels to his staff — should he be chosen among Atlanta’s bevy of suitors for the position.  

"We will see where Bill Belichick now lands,” NFL Network reported on Sunday. “He is inside the NFL's coaching cycle and has had not one but two interviews with the Atlanta Falcons... Belichick, of course, has interest there, and do not be surprised if Josh McDaniels ends up landing with Belichick."

McDaniels, who was relieved of his duties following a second failed head coaching stint with the Las Vegas Raiders in October 2023, enjoyed his greatest success as a coach under Belichick in New England. The 47-year-old has three Super Bowl victories as an offensive coordinator and was part of New England’s staff for six Super Bowl wins.

Despite his recent criticisms, McDaniels has still routinely been lauded for his previous work with star quarterback Tom Brady during his New England tenure. He’s also been praised for his efforts developing Mac Jones, a first-round draft pick from Alabama in 2021.

At present, it remains unclear as to whether McDaniels would join Belichick as his offensive coordinator or in an assistant head coach role. He is also reportedly still under consideration for the Patriots ‘OC’ position, which was recently vacated by Bill O’Brien. 

JAN. 20 FALCONS INTERVIEWING HARBAUGH, VRABEL - The Falcons' hiring of Belichick may still be "expected," but it is far from over.

After completing a second interview Friday with the former Patriots coach, reports surfaced that Atlanta is also still pursuing Michigan's Jim Harbaugh and former Titans coach Mike Vrabel. As did Belichick, Harbaugh will have a second interview with the Falcons this weekend. Vrabel, who met with the Chargers on Thursday, is expected to hold a first interview in Atlanta next Wednesday.

After an earlier face-to-face with Falcons owner Arthur Blank, Belichick met Friday with Falcons' CEO Rich McKay, team president Greg Beadles and general manager Terry Fontenot. All signs point to Belichick remaining Atlanta's leading candidate - NFL on CBS insider Josina Anderson said Friday it is down contract negotiation details - but the process will clearly spill into next week.

The complete Falcons interview list:

*Belichick (two interviews)

*Harbaugh (second interview this weekend)

*Mike Macdonald (Baltimore Ravens Defensive Coordinator)

*Brian Callahan (Cincinnati Bengals Offensive Coordinator)

*Steve Wilks (San Francisco 49ers Defensive Coordinator)

*Ejiro Evero (Carolina Panthers Defensive Coordinator)

*Anthony Weaver (Baltimore Ravens Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Line Coach)

*Brian Johnson (Philadelphia Eagles Offensive Coordinator)

*Aaron Glenn (Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator)

*Vrabel (Scheduled Wednesday interview)

JAN. 19 KIRK COUSINS VOLUNTEERING TO PLAY FOR BELICHICK - With Belichick on the verge of becoming the next head coach of the Falcons, speculation is turning to who his quarterback will be in Atlanta. As far as the most important position football, Bill is sort of out of the frying pan in Foxboro and into the fire in Atlanta.

In the wake of Tom Brady's departure from the Patriots, Cam Newton didn't work out and now first-round pick Mac Jones has dramatically regressed. Bailey Zappe started the season's final four games, but New England's quarterback situation is up in the air as it owns the No. 3 overall pick in April's NFL Draft.

What Belichick would inherit in Atlanta isn't much better. After trading their version of Brady - veteran Matt Ryan - in 2021, the Falcons have tried Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ritter and Taylor Heinicke without much success.

A veteran could be an option, and potential free agent Kirk Cousins said this week that he would jump at the chance to play for Belichick.

“I’m not gonna turn down an opportunity to play with a future Hall of Fame coach,” Cousins said. “I have great respect for him as a coach, like everyone else in pro football. I mean, if you go to that many Super Bowls, win that many Super Bowls, go to that many conference championship games, have the defensive production he’s had for years and years, it says it all."

The 35-year-old Cousins, who suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in October, could return to the Minnesota Vikings or become a free agent. He threw for 299 yards and three touchdowns in the Vikings' Thanksgiving night win over the Patriots in 2022.

JAN. 18 MORE COMPETITION FOR BILL IN ATLANTA? - While Belichick already has a second, more in-depth meeting scheduled with the Falcons, Atlanta is still interviewing candidates for a first time. The team announced today that is has also spoken with Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson about its head coaching vacancy.

Belichick, the former Patriots legend, is considered the favorite for the job after meeting face-to-face with owner Arthur Blank on his yacht and having another round of talks set. But the Falcons have now also formally interviewed Johnson and Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh.

JAN. 18 BELICHICK, FALCONS MEETING FOR SECOND TIME - With the Cowboys out of the equation, things seem to be adding up for Belichick to coach the Falcons.

Dallas owner Jerry Jones announced Wednesday night that he was retaining Mike McCarthy, eliminating the Cowboys as a potential landing spot for Belichick.

But after a face-to-face meeting last weekend - rumored to have taken place aboard Atlanta owner Arthur Blank's $180 million yacht in the Virgin Islands - Belichick and the Falcons are scheduled to hold a second interview with the Falcons this weekend.

While the first meeting was apparently just Belichick and Blank getting acquainted, this one will be include the Falcons' front office and encompass more details and perhaps even contract negotiations.

While the Patriots move forward with new coach Jerod Mayo, Belichick to the Falcons could pave the way for a fascinating, potentially historic 2025 game at Gillette Stadium.

Belichick is 14 wins from tying Don Shula's all-time NFL record. In 2025 the Falcons are scheduled to play in Foxboro.

JAN. 17 MCCARTHY RETURNING TO COWBOYS - Juicy as it would have been for Belichick to attempt to co-exist with Jerry Jones, you can cross the Cowboys off the list of possibilities for the the former Patriots coaching legend. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Wednesday night that Mike McCarthy will not be fired and is returning to Dallas in 2024.

Belichick was long connected to the Cowboys, but after meeting with McCarthy the last two days Jones decided to give another season to the coach that over the last three years has produced 36 wins and two division championships.

The Falcons are so far the only team that Belichick has interviewed with.

JAN. 17 GM COMPARES SAINTS COACH TO BELICHICK, ALL-TIME GREATS - In announcing that head coach Dennis Allen will be back next season, New Orleans Saints general manager Mickey Loomis stepped in ... history.

Allen was fired by the Las Vegas Raiders before taking over the Saints. In five years he has never had a winning record or made the playoffs, going 16-18 in two seasons in New Orleans. Loomis, however, sees Allen's 24-46 record as merely a potential - if not peculiar - path to Canton.

He laid out the modest coaching starts by the Pittsburgh Steelers' Chuck Noll, Tom Landry of the Dallas Cowboys and Patriots legend Bill Belichick.

"All of them Hall of Fame coaches," he said. "The easy thing is to blame them. You gotta look beyond that."

Records over first five seasons: Landry 18-46-4 (.281), Dennis Allen 24-46 (.343), Noll 33-37 (.417), Belichick 36-44 (.450). Landry led an expansion franchise, while Noll and Belichick inherited teams with five combined wins in the previous season. The Saints were 9-8 under Sean Payton three years ago.

Belichick's Patriots did lose to Allen's Saints, 34-0, this season at Gillette Stadium. We've taken the liberty of comparing Belichick and Landry, but Allen seems a stretch.

JAN. 17 MAC ATTACK: BELICHICK, KRAFT FOUGHT OVER QB - Publicly, Belichick and Kraft parted amicably last week. But last season the relationship between the Patriots owner and former coach wasn't so hunky-dory.

In ESPN's scathing postmortem story, in fact, Belichick and Kraft were so at odds over quarterback Mac Jones that the future Hall of Fame coach reportedly kept playing him out of spite ... to prove to Kraft that his favorite player had further deteriorated.

Claimed a source close to Belichick in the story: "It was a (bleep) you to Kraft.”

Belichick, it seems, never wanted to draft Jones. He wanted, instead, Cal's Davis Mills (who went to the Houston Texans and is now C.J. Stroud's backup). When Jones made the Pro Bowl as a rookie, Kraft took pride in "his" guy.

Then Belichick sabotaged Jones by putting him under the tutelage of defensive-minded coaches Matt Patricia and Joe Judge in 2022. After a season of regression, Belichick went to Kraft with trade proposals. The owner pushed back, and the team wound up hiring offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien to repair Jones.

But last season was even worse. Jones regressed further, with Belichick serving him the indignity of benching him during games - including before the final possession of a winnable game in Germany ... one the coach knew the owner particularly wanted to win.

Jones is under contract next season, but his confidence must be pudding at this point.

With Belichick gone, nothing would make Kraft happier than for Jerod Mayo's new staff to be able to restore Jones' Pro Bowl talent.

JAN. 16 BELICHICK HAS COMPETITION FOR FALCONS JOB - Belichick may wind up as the next coach of the Falcons, but he won't run for the job unopposed. One night after announcing that they talked to the former Patriots coach about their opening, Atlanta said it had conducted an interview with Jim Harbaugh.

Harbaugh, who last week led Michigan to college football's National Championship, also this week interviewed with the Los Angeles Chargers.

There are currently seven head coach opening in the NFL, with the Cowboys and Eagles reportedly also considering firing their coaches Mike McCarthy and Nick Sirianni.

JAN. 16 MAC POSTS TRIBUTE TO BELICHICK - There have been stories in the last year that Belichick never wanted to draft Mac Jones in the first place (instead desiring Davis Mills) and put the quarterback on the trading block. And of course we saw this season where the coach unceremoniously benched Jones four times during games and ultimately yanked his starting job away and gave it to Bailey Zappe.

Despite those trials and tribulations, Jones had the class this week to give thanks to his former coach on social media.

Wrote Jones on Instagram:

“Coach Belichick has made such a big impact on my life. I grew up dreaming of playing in the NFL and that dream grew even stronger after I watched Coach Belichick and the Patriots win the Super Bowl in my hometown. My dream to play in the NFL came true when I was drafted to the Patriots organization and I am grateful to have played for and learned from such a legendary coach. Coach Belichick has impacted me and so many other players in immeasurable ways. I wish Coach Belichick and his family continued success in the future. #ForeverNE”

Jones might get a fresh start to compete for New England's QB1 now that Jerod Mayo is the new coach.

JAN. 16 EAGLES ALSO INTERESTED IN BELICHICK - Because suddenly the Patriots' horrible season doesn't feel so horrible, Belichick has lots of suitors. So many playoff pratfalls, so many options.

Belichick has already formally interviewed with the Falcons. And before the "Bill to the Cowboys" heat full intensified in the wake of Dallas' upset loss to the Green Bay, here comes smoke from the Eagles. After their embarrassing defeat in Tampa Bay that punctuated a collapse from a 10-1 start, Philly could be firing Nick Sirianni and also looking to talk to the future Hall of Famer.

There is scuttlebutt around the league that Belichick is on owner Jeffrey Lurie's wish list. Pro Football Talk, in fact, thinks Belichick might be on the verge of leaving a 4-13 team to having his choice between rosters loaded with Super Bowl talent.

Writes PFT today:

"The question for Belichick could come down to balancing a Super Bowl-ready roster (like the Cowboys or Eagles can offer) against the possibility that Blank will break the bank and/or give Belichick full control of the team, clearing out the front office and letting Belichick do his thing. ... Does Belichick look for a place where the deck is stacked to rack up wins or a place where he’d be offered considerably more power and cash?"

Seven teams currently have coaching openings. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is meeting Tuesday with Mike McCarthy. And after Monday night's debacle the Eagles might also have an imminent vacancy.

JAN. 15 FALCONS CONFIRM BELICHICK INTERVIEW - So, maybe the yacht rumors were accurate after all?

The Atlanta Falcons announced Monday night they have indeed interviewed Belichick for their head coaching job. NFL Network reported that although the former Patriots coach met "in person" with Falcons owner Arthur Blank, no deal is imminent.

There obviously is interest. The Falcons are Belichick's first suitor. But don't expect them to be his last.

The Pats don't play the Falcons next season, but they will visit Gillette Stadium in 2025. Think of the drama if Bill returned to Foxboro on the brink of breaking Don Shula's NFL record for the most coaching wins?!

But just for fun, get those 28-3 punch lines ready.

JAN. 15 BELICHICK ODDS FAVOR COWBOYS; ON FALCONS' YACHT? - They don't call this time of the NFL calendar the "silly season" for nothing.

Former Patriots legend Belichick is soaring up the betting odds, now as the favorite to be the next coach of the Cowboys. But in the spirit of the wacky period between the end of the regular season and the Super Bowl, here comes a preposterous rumor:

Belichick was allegedly spotted in the Virgin Islands over the weekend boarding the $180 million yacht belonging to Falcons owner Arthur Blank. One witness on Twitter claimed Belichick "pulled up in a golf cart with his signature Mr. Grumpy pants look." That person, however, also said they didn't have their phone handy to snap photographic proof.

Blank’s Oceanco super yacht is named ‘dreAMBoat’ as a nod to his initials.

Former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski "reported" Sunday on Fox's NFL pre-game show that the Falcons were "coming in hot" in pursuit of Belichick as their next head coach in the wake of firing Arthur Smith last week.

JAN. 15 BELICHICK SONS EXTENDED OFFERS TO STAY - The Patriots may have moved on from Belichick, but new coach Jerod Mayo is extending offers to his sons, Stephen and Brian, to remain on the coaching staff.

JAN. 15 CHARGERS INTERVIEWING JIM HARBAUGH - Last week we reported that the Chargers seem to be cooling on hiring Belichick. But they are indeed interested in Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh.

According to ESPN the team is expected to formally interview him Monday in California.

While the former Patriots legend is generating all sorts of buzz in connection to the Cowboys after their first-round flameout loss to the Packers, the Chargers are leading off their search with a coach who is 44-19-1 in the NFL, went to a Super Bowl with the 49ers and who last week a college football championship with the Wolverines.

Harbaugh in the last couple of offseasons has met with the Broncos and Vikings, but Michigan managed to retain him.

At the national championship celebration, Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel told the crowd that he was working on a new contract for Jim Harbaugh.

Said the AD, “I will answer the question that I heard about 500 times on the parade route, I am working on getting this man a new contract.”

JAN. 14 GRONK SAYS BILL TO FALCONS - AFC South? Cowboys? And now, in the latest spin of the Belichick coaching carousel, the Falcons are the hottest destination. That was the "news" broken by former Patriots' star tight end Rob Gronkowski Sunday on Fox's NFL pregame show before the Cowboys-Packers Wild Card game.

"Don't expect Bill to be done," Gronk said. "He's coming back with a vengeance. And the the word I'm hearing on the streets is that the Falcons are coming in hot for coach Belichick."

JAN. 14 AIKMAN NOT BUYING BELICHICK, COWBOYS RUMOR - It might be the hottest rumor on the NFL coaching carousel, but Troy Aikman isn't buying it. Despite countless stories connecting Belichick to the Cowboys should Dallas suffer an early playoff exit Sunday in its Wild Card game against the Packers, the ESPN analyst remains convinced that Mike McCarthy's job is safe.

"I don’t know if Bill Belichick’s availability impacts anything on the front with Mike McCarthy," Aikman told the New York Post. "Mike took this job as every head coach that’s taken the Cowboys job: They understand what the expectations are. There would be disappointment if they’re not able to get to the Super Bowl and win it this year. But I think Mike McCarthy’s job’s safe."

JAN. 13 BAILEY THANKS BILL - Though the legendary coach cut him - exposing him to being signed by another team - Patriots' quarterback Bailey Zappe took to social media to thank Belichick on Saturday.

Zappe shared a photo of himself and Belichick on Instagram and wrote a goodbye salute to his former coach.

Wrote Zappe: “Thank you, coach! Because of you, my life long dream of playing in the NFL became a reality. You believed in me and pushed me to become better and wiser each and everyday. I’ve learned so much under your leadership and will carry your teachings with me for the rest of my career.”

With starting quarterback Mac Jones coming off a Pro Bowl season in 2021, Belichick raised eyebrows when he drafted Zappe in the fourth round in 2022. He also surprised everyone by cutting Zappe before the season last August, exposing him to waivers.

Zappe was signed to the practice squad, moved back to the active roster, replaced Jones in four games during the regular season and ultimately took the starting job for the final six.

While Jones' future in Foxboro is uncertain under new head coach Jerod Mayo, Zappe believes he has done enough to compete for the starting job in 2024. The Patriots, however, own the No. 3 overall pick in April's NFL Draft and are widely predicted to select a quarterback.

JAN. 13 RUMOR THAT WON'T DIE: BELICHICK TO COWBOYS - On his first weekend as a coaching free agent since 2000, Belichick is rumored to go, well, everywhere. Except the Chargers, that is (see below).

NFC South teams Carolina and Atlanta are said to have interest in the Patriots legend, and now two NFC East teams have gained momentum. At least in the rumor mill.

NFL Network host Rich Eisen says the NFL should want Belichick to coach the Commanders.

"Put him in the money division,” Eisen said on The Dan Patrick Show. “Have him take on the Giants, his old team, twice a year. Let him go against Dallas twice a year, on Thanksgiving once in a while. Let him go into Philadelphia, and try and bring the Commanders back to prominence in late windows on Fox as much as possible. If you’re the league, I think that’s where you would pinpoint his location.”

But the juiciest narrative that will not die remains ... Belichick to the Cowboys.

Despite three consecutive 12-win seasons, two division titles, a playoff win and this year's No. 2 seed in the NFC Playoffs, Mike McCarthy might be on thin ice. Given multiple opportunities to say that his coach is safe for next season, Cowboys owner will only offer that McCarthy is "under contract."

So away we go ...

In a sentiment endorsed by Patriots Super Bowl MVP Julian Edelman last week (see below), Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio reported on NBC's Browns-Texans pre-game show Saturday that Belichick is "in play" in Dallas.

"Yes, the Cowboys are believed to be in play (for Belichick)," Florio said. "There's a long history of respect and admiration between Bill Belichick and Jerry Jones. They have a great team there. Belichick could just go in and coach it to places they haven't been in a very long time."

JAN. 12 CHARGERS NOT INTERESTED IN BELICHICK? - Thought to be a likely landing spot and even the betting favorite at one point, the Chargers might not be a coaching option for Belichick after all.

In an appearance on Boston radio Friday morning, The Athletic Patriots insider Jeff Howe said the Chargers won't consider Belichick for their opening because they "are going to want a younger offensive minded head coach."

For all his Hall-of-Fame credentials, Belichick is neither young nor offensive minded.

Rumors on Friday began getting stronger that the Patriots legend might wind up in the AFC South, with either the Panthers or the Falcons.

On FS1 earlier this week, Patriots Super Bowl hero Julian Edelman quickly dismissed the possibility of Bill heading to Carolina.

"No," he said emphatically, like a man who had more than a hunch.

As for Atlanta, could Falcons fans really take all the "28 to 3" heat that would come equipped with a Belichick hire?

JAN. 12 PLAYERS SUPPORTING MAYO AFTER BELICHICK DEPARTURE - After a day of reflection and appreciation for Belichick on Thursday, the mood around the Patriots transformed into enthusiasm for the hiring of Mayo on Friday. Players past and present saluted the team's in-house promotion, including 2022 Pro Bowl pass-rusher Matthew Judon.

"There's a lot of excitement for him running his own ship," Judon said on ESPN's NFL Live. "He was a player and a coach here, so he's a home-grown talent. The success he had on the field definitely translates to his coaching style. We're excited."

Getting Judon and and cornerback Christian Gonzalez back on the field will be a big plus as Mayo attempts to keep the Patriots' defense playing at a high level.

Mayo will be formally introduced at a Noon press conference next Wednesday.

JAN. 11 BRADY SALUTES BELICHICK - Though Belichick failed to mention him by name in his final press conference as coach of the Patriots, it didn't stop Tom Brady from showering his former coach with praise.

"I’m incredibly grateful to have played for the best coach in the history of the NFL," Brady said in a long Instagram post. "I could never have been the player I was without you, Coach Belichick. I am forever grateful. And I wish you the best of luck in whatever you choose next."

JAN. 11 KRAFT DETAILS END OF 'MARRIAGE' FROM BELICHICK - A couple of  hours after Belichick stood at a podium for the final time as coach of the Patriots, Kraft addressed the media and touched on all the important topics regarding the momentous parting of ways with the legendary coach.

Kraft on ... 

*Potentially trading Belichick for a possible draft pick: "I didn't think that was right for Tom and I don't think it's right for Bill. Each earned the position to do what is right for them. Some people may criticize me for not getting as much value as possible and I understand that. But I think they deserve to be treated fairly."

*Option of Bill staying with a reduced role: "We've thought about that. But you have someone like Bill that had control over every decision ... then take some of that power away and give it to someone else. It sets you up for confusion. It wouldn't work, in my opinion."

*Belichick or Brady deserving more credit for the six Super Bowls: "They needed each other. They were both the best of their professions and we were fortunate to have them both together for two decades. They would not have had the success without each other."

*Reasons for splitting: "The last three years have been pretty tough. In life, things happen. What's gone on isn't what we want. This is a results business ... something isn't quite right from where it was."

*Difficulty of the decision to part ways: "When I'm making a serious decision, I measure nine times and cut once. This was like a marriage ... it's very hard. Both of us felt a mutual interest to each go our own way."

*Closure in the form of Belichick Appreciation Day: "It would be awkward while he's still coaching. Everything in life is timing ... so we'll have to wait for that."

*Next Patriots coach: "I'm looking for someone who can help us get back to the playoffs and win."

JAN. 11 BELICHICK GIVES THANKS AT FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE - Exchanging his trademark hoodie for a suit and tie, Belichick stood at a podium Thursday at Gillette Stadium and reflected on his unprecedented 24-year career with the Patriots.

"My career here exceeded my wildest dreams and expectations," Belichick said. "Great memories that I'll carry with me the rest of my life."

Belichick gave thanks to everyone from team owner Robert Kraft, to the fans, to the lunchroom staff, and to the players, though he singled out none - not even Tom Brady - by name.

"I'll always be a Patriot, and I'll look forward to coming back here," Belichick said. "But at this time, we're going to move on and I look forward ... excited for the future."

Kraft echoed that the decision was a mutual agreement.

"In my opinion," the owner said, "our success will never be replicated."

In the lone tease of emotion, Kraft hugged Belichick at the end before joking, "He has a cold, so I'm not going to kiss him."

Belichick also showed a rare sense of humor, joking of the large media gathering that "I haven't seen this many cameras since we signed Tim Tebow."

Typical of Belichick's tenure, the press conference was short - if not sweet - lasting less than 10 minutes.

And with that, Belichick walked out a side door and presumably toward another NFL team, while the Patriots peer into the unknown of life without the most successful coach in the history of professional football.

JAN. 11 BELICHICK, BRADY SAD LAST SCENES - Exits are never easy. Just ask Belichick and Tom Brady.

Though they won six Super Bowls together in New England, their last gasps with the Patriots at Gillette Stadium were separately sad.

Jan. 4, 2020: Trailing the Titans by one point in the final seconds of a Wild Card playoff game, Brady dropped back into his own end zone and threw a deflected, 9-yard Pick 6 to former teammate Logan Ryan to cap a stunning 20-13 loss. The interception was Brady's final pass as a Patriot.

Jan. 7, 2024: Hidden beneath a parka and balaclava in a snowstorm, Belichick's team capped a 4-13 season by not scoring a touchdown in a 17-3 loss that broke a 9-year winning streak against the New York Jets.

Historic careers. Horrible climaxes.

A sign that Belichick isn't done coaching - and, as a "lifer", likely never will be - occurred in the finale's final minutes:

The Jets had just scored a touchdown to take a commanding 14-point lead with 1:47 remaining. Bitter cold and a bitter loss to a bitter rival, with an uncertain future awaiting afterward. It was snowing. It was a miserable. It was all but over.

Yet on the sideline in advance of the ensuing kickoff, Belichick wildly windmilled his arms at his return team. Why?

Because he knew the ball wasn't traveling nearly as far as usual because of the inclement weather, so he was frantically motioning return man Jalen Reagor to move up from his position on the goal line to receive the expected short kick. The ball hitting the ground - Belichick knew from 49 years on the job as a coach in the NFL - might result in a tricky bounce off the frozen field.

Sure enough, Reagor didn't move up enough and had to negotiate a wonky pick-up. He fumbled, fortunate to recover the ball. Another teaching moment, the last of Belichick's career with the Patriots.

He was a football savant ... until the bitter end.

JAN. 10 BELICHICK, SABAN SHARE HAPPY 1990s HUG - Just because, let's watch a rare, vintage moment when Belichick and Nick Saban - two of the greatest coaches in American sports - not only shared a sideline but also a jubilant hug.

The two served on the same Cleveland Browns' staff 1991-94: Belichick as head coach; Saban his defensive coordinator. In their four seasons together the Browns went 31-33 with one playoff win ... which just happened to be over a coach named Bill Parcells and the New England Patriots.

Saban retired Wednesday and Belichick's Hall of Fame career with the Patriots hangs in limbo. Soak it in ...

JAN. 10 ODDS SAY BELICHICK HEADS WEST TO CHARGERS - While his coaching contemporaries (Pete Carroll, Nick Saban, Mike Vrabel, etc.) are falling likes flies around him, Belichick is apparently still hunkered down in discussions about his Patriots future with Kraft.

But with more jobs opening up by the day, oddsmakers are beginning to speculate on where Belichick finally winds up. Will he stay in Foxboro, move to another NFL team or take an unlikely step down to the college game and take over Saban's team at Alabama?

The latest DraftKings odds say Belichick will ultimately wind up coaching the Chargers, with essentially a turnkey organization and foundational players (quarterback Justin Herbert, running back Austin Ekeler, receiver Keenan Allen and pass-rusher Joey Bosa) on both sides of the ball. Second favorite? Staying home with the Pats.

The NFL currently has seven coaching vacancies including the Chargers, Commanders, Panthers, Titans, Raiders, Falcons and Seahawks.

The latest odds on Belichick's destination:

Los Angeles Chargers +200

New England Patriots: +300

Atlanta Falcons: +500

Washington Commanders: +600

Not the head coach of an NFL team: +700

JAN. 10 PATS INSIDER REMAINS CONVINCED BELICHICK LEAVING - Despite Belichick still being in Foxboro and employed by the Patriots as NFL head coaches are being fired on a daily basis, a team insider remains convinced he will part ways with the organization sooner rather than later.

Former Patriots Rob Ninkovich and Rob Gronkowski believe Bill is staying, but NBC Boston's Tom E. Curran said the momentous divorce is just a matter of time.

"Ownership's decision was made weeks ago," Curran said Tuesday night. "The decision is the decision ... the parting of the ways will happen."

While initially it was believed Belichick and Kraft would hold a do-or-die "summit" on Monday, Belichick hinted the decision might take "a series of meetings."

Said Curran of the delay: "I think it has a lot to do with the untangling of a 24-year union with an individual. That untangling is going to take some time, especially if you want to keep the relationship intact going forward."

Curran still believes the Patriots will hire Jerod Mayo as Belichick's successor.

JAN. 10 FORMER PLAYERS PREDICTING BILL STAYS - The longer the will-he-or-won't-he drama drags on this week, the more it feels like Belichick is on the verge of convincing Kraft to keep him as coach of the Patriots. A couple of his former players, in fact, are already convinced Bill isn't going anywhere.

"I think he will be staying as head coach of the New England Patriots," Rob Gronkowski said on a TV appearance with CBS Boston. "I'll be very shocked if that's not the case, and I won't believe it until I see he's not the head coach."

Ditto with former Pats linebacker Rob Ninkovich, who cautions Kraft not to make the same mistake with Belichick that he made with Tom Brady.

"If you let Bill out the door and he goes and wins another Super Bowl like Tom did ... ," Ninkovich said on an episode of the Up & Adams show this week. "I'd keep Bill."

Belichick just endured his worst season in his 29 years as a head coach in the NFL. The Pats went 4-13 and over their last 25 games they are 7-18. Only the Arizona Cardinals (5-20) have been worse over the same period.

Both players believe Belichick remains a defensive mastermind, but needs a fresh voice in the personnel department and on the offensive side of the football.

"The thing I look at is that there are a lot of bad coaches and mediocre coaches just hanging on by the skin of their teeth," said Ninkovich. "Put Bill Belichick with a good roster and he still wins. If he goes to the Chargers they're a Super Bowl-contending team immediately."

Added Gronkowski, "I know coach Belichick wants to be with the Patriots next year. Unfortunately, I don't think he had the firepower that he needed on offense this year to win the games that he needed. Once he is the coach for next year, they need to add something something to their team."

JAN. 9 NO CASERIO REUNION IN FOXBORO - As a second day passes without a decision on Belichick's future with - or without - the Patriots, speculation is beginning to lean toward him staying in Foxboro. And who might join him in attempting to rebuild and restore New England: Josh McDaniels? Maybe. Scott Pioli? Perhaps. Nick Caserio?

No way.

In a defiant response to rumors that he might return to Foxboro as general manager, Caserio went on Houston radio Tuesday afternoon to announce he has no intentions of leaving a Texans' teams he's built into a playoff squad in three years.

“I’m going to try to hold my tongue here a little bit,” Caserio said, "but I would just say: This time of year there are a lot of things that are said, and anybody that makes a (bleep) statement - that they either know me or ‘trust me, you can rely on this information,’ - honestly is totally off-base. I focus on the things I can control, not worry about some offhanded statements made out of left field that quite frankly have zero validity. Whoever these reporters are that make these ridiculous statements, maybe you want to talk to me about it first before putting information out there that has zero basis.”

Pretty clear Caserio is happy in Houston with no intention of joining any sort of reunion in Foxboro.

JAN. 9 BELICHICK SNUB, REDEMPTION GO VIRAL - In 2018 the Patriots' coach created a viral meme by snubbing two kids looking for a high-five before a Lions game in Detroit. So was born "Belichick walking in ... "

With everyone dusting off their Belichick memories while we await his fate in Foxboro, we found a happy ending to the Detroit disrespect. Belichick apparently identified the kids - who were actually Patriots fans - and invited them to a game later that season in Gillette Stadium.

He even posed for a photo with them and signed their original picture of the moment at Ford Field.

"When they met him, the first thing he said was, 'Sorry I missed you in Detroit'," the kids' father posted this week on social media. "I also made copies of the pic and he was nice enough to sign them. He couldn’t have been nicer. It’s a side most don’t see but should. The snub was never a big deal to the kids and BB more than made up for it, which wasn’t necessary at all, but was a thrill for the kids. Guy is a legend."

JAN. 9 TOPIC OF RODGERS-BELICHICK PRE-GAME CHAT? - Among the indelible images from last Sunday's finale at Gillette Stadium was the sight of future Hall of Famers Belichick and Aaron Rodgers having a pre-game conversation amidst the snowflakes.

So what was the top of that discussion? The Jets' quarterback shed some light on Tuesday's Pat McAfee Show:

"I've always had great respect for Bill Belichick," Rodgers said. "We were talking about a snow game in 2019. I think it'd be so fun to have a scotch with Bill and just talk about football."

The Patriots didn't play Green Bay in 2019, so they were talking about the Packers' visit to MetLife Stadium against the New York Giants. Belichick went 1-2 against the Packers with Rodgers in uniform, losing the last meeting in overtime at Lambeau Field in 2022.

"Bill Belichick will always find little advantages that he's been able to utilize," Rodgers said. "He's a football savant and everybody that has played a long time has a lot of respect for him. I just love his knowledge of the game, and I don't think he's done coaching. The NFL's better with him in it."

JAN. 9 VRABEL FIRED BY TITANS; IN PLAY FOR PATRIOTS? - A report in November called Mike Vrabel a "home run hire" for the Patriots if Kraft ever parted ways with Belichick.

After being fired Tuesday by the Tennessee Titans, he's now available.

JAN. 9 PATRIOTS GETTING "BAND' BACK TOGETHER? - First we all thought Belichick was gone and the Patriots were staring a complete tear down of the organization, down to the studs of the foundation. But now, as more information trickles in, one of the options this offseason is apparently just a tweaked remodel featuring bringing back the old as new.

In an initial discussion with Kraft Monday, Belichick reportedly floated the idea of bringing back offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Now comes word that former personnel director Scott Pioli has also been sniffing around a return to Foxboro.

McDaniels has six Super Bowl rings; Pioli three.

So Kraft is apparently a foundational fork in the road: Fire Mick Jagger, or bring back the entire Rolling Stones for a reunion tour.

JAN. 9 BELICHICK STILL IN GOOD COMPANY - Despite going a career-worst 4-13 in 2023 and just 12-22 over the last two seasons, Belichick's recent "body of work" is still comparable to the best coaches in the NFL.

Consider his numbers, compared to one of the coaches considered to be at the top of his profession: Kyle Shanahan of the 49ers. Their production since 2017:

Kyle Shanahan - 70-52 (Regular season), 6-3 (Playoffs), 0-1 (Super Bowl)

Bill Belichick - 70-52 (Regular season), 5-3 (Playoffs), 1-1 (Super Bowl)

JAN. 8 BELICHICK, KRAFT MEET ON COACH'S FUTURE - According to a new report in The Athletic, Belichick had an "initial discussion" about his future as Patriots head coach Monday with Kraft and part of those talks involved the potential return of Josh McDaniels to Foxboro.

Writes The Athletic, "Kraft and Belichick had an initial discussion Monday, and the expectation is they’ll meet at least once more, league sources said. Kraft was not expected to reach a decision Monday."

The future remains unsettled, but ...

If Belichick and Kraft talked - and a rebuilding plan was discussed that involved McDaniels - and the owner plans to meet again with the coach, it lends credence to Belichick returning to Foxboro after all. Kraft, who reportedly has had his mind made up to part ways with Belichick since the team's ugly loss in Germany in October, is apparently at least open to hearing Belichick's strategy for improvement.

McDaniels was the Pats' offensive coordinator from 2001-08 and from 2012-21, winning six Super Bowl rings along the way. His return for a third stint would follow Belichick's preference to side with familiarity, hence his two sons on staff and the hiring last offseason of Bill O'Brien.

McDaniels was spotted at Gillette Stadium Sunday, though it was reportedly merely to attend the final game of long-time captain Matthew Slater's career.

Fired by the Raiders amid turmoil this season, his return would create many questions: Since he coached quarterback Mac Jones to a Pro Bowl in 2021, might the former first-round pick get another shot at starting? And what of O'Brien, who oversaw a historically horrible offense in 2023?

JAN. 8 JIMMY JOHNSON SETS BELICHICK "PRICE" - Curious how forthcoming Belichick has been the last couple of days. Monday morning he talked in detail about how the Pats needed fixing and how was he even - gasp! - open to accepting a reduced role (see: GM) if Kraft deemed it necessary to move the Patriots forward.

During his uncharacteristically openness, Belichick did slip in a couple times that he is "under contract." For a tight-lipped guy who would never normally divulge such info, it borders on bizarre. Or ... merely calculating?

The advantage to reminding everyone - Kraft, potential suitors, etc. - is that he has leverage in that if he's fired he gets paid the remainder of his deal and if another team comes calling they'll have to part with assets in a trade.

And now we know what the going rate is to trade for a coach of Belichick's pedigree, courtesy of Hall-of-Fame coach and Fox analyst Jimmy Johnson. A first-round draft pick.

"Even though he's my friend, i don't know what's going to happen," Johnson said Sunday on Fox's pre-game show. "But i do know this ... he loves coaching, he loves to compete and with the right personnel he can win a championship. I think if he's out there, there will be opportunities for him. And the Patriots would want a first-round pick."

JAN. 8 VRABEL MEETING WITH TITANS OWNERSHIP - We're starting to learn the teams (Commanders, Panthers, Falcons, etc.) that might be interested in Belichick should he part ways with the Patriots. But what about whom New England might covet as his successor?

Titans coach Mike Vrabel has long been thought to be at the top of Kraft's wish list. A report in November called Vrabel, in fact, the "home run hire" as Belichick's replacement. He spent Tennessee's Bye week in Foxboro entering the Pats' Hall of Fame, wearing a New England jacket and sitting in Kraft's suite. Vrabel, for crying out loud, even referred to the Patriots as "we" during his induction speech.

He's under contract with the Titans for two years, but also is reportedly frustrated with team ownership. Those concerns will be addressed in a meeting with the front office this week, according to ESPN. Adam Schefter reports that "there are people around the league" who believe Vrabel would be open to coaching another team, or that the Titans would be willing to trade Vrabel to another organization.

Wrote Schefter last week, "Meetings that likely will happen will help determine the direction that Vrabel and the Titans go, but the situation in Tennessee currently is not settled, according to sources."

Vrabel is 6-18 in his last 24 games with the Titans and they missed the playoffs with a 6-11 record this year.

"Of course, I want to be here. Be here as long as we can win. As long as we can do this thing, and it's been great," Vrabel told reporters in Nashville last week. "But it also has been just frustrating this year. And nobody wants to be where we're at. You feel for the players. Having been in that situation, those guys are out there selling out, and you feel for them when you look out there on the field, and we're not winning, or it's pretty obvious."

JAN. 8 TEAMS ALREADY INTERESTED IN BELICHCK - As of late Monday morning, Belichick was still the coach of the Patriots. But if and when he becomes a coaching free agent, teams are lining up to talk to him.

Both the Commanders (Ron Rivera) and Falcons (Arthur Smith) fired their head coaches on "Black Monday." And both, according to new reporting, have an interest in hiring Belichick.

Commanders owner Josh Harris is said to be "enamored" with Belichick. And The Athletic wrote today that the Falcons are "very interested" in the Patriots' legend.

In addition, the Panthers - who fired Frank Reich during the season - have made "informal inquiries" into Belichick's availability.

From his recent press conferences, it sure seems like we can erase "retire" from the list of possibilities concerning Belichick. Even though he'll be 72 next season, he wants to keep coaching. And already he has suitors lining up for his services.

JAN. 8 REDUCED ROLE FOR BELICHICK TO STAY WITH PATRIOTS? - Belichick addressed his future the morning after their 17-3 loss to the Jets, saying he has yet to meet with Kraft and that he would be - surprisingly - open to relinquishing GM duties in order to keep his job.

But the Patriots were the worst team in the AFC this season and over the last two years they are 12-22 with the 30th-ranked offense. Something's got to change, right?

JAN. 7 FINAL FAREWELL FOR BELICHICK AROUND GILLTTE STADIUM? - After another ugly, low-scoring loss - this time to the Jets, of all teams - was this Belichick's last exit from Gillette Stadium as head coach of the Patriots? If so, it's not what we envisioned: Engulfed in a parka, trudging out and down the steps in a snowstorm.

Let's be honest, he looked more like a Sith Lord from Star Wars than the greatest coach in the history of American team sports.

JAN 7: BILL BELICHICK SPEAKS TO MEDIA AFTER WEEK 18 LOSS TO NEW YORK JETS - The New England Patriots brought the curtain down on a dismal 2023 NFL season with a 17-3 loss to the New York Jets at snow-covered Gillette Stadium. The Pats finish the season at 4-13, and their third postseason miss in the past four seasons. 

With rumors surrounding the future of Bill Belichick as a part of the Pats franchise swirling more abundantly than the falling snowflakes in the skies of Foxboro, Belichick took the postgame podium to address the media to put a cap on his statistically-worst season as an NFL head coach. 

While the question on everyone’s mind was bound to be asked, Belichick tried to keep the focus on the Pats loss to the Jets, while deferring all other musings of inquiring minds.

“Just taking questions on the Jets right now," Belichick said. "As far as the future goes, I will be sitting down with Robert at some point to discuss things, as we always do every season. That’s really all there is to say right now.” 

When asked a follow up on whether he would be coaching the Patriots next season, Belichick responded:  

“Disappointed in the way the game finished. We put everything we had into the game and trying to win it. I enjoyed all the preparation this season, all the effort we put into games. Just didn’t win enough games.”

Could this be the final image of Bill Belichick wearing Patriots gear leaving Gillette Stadium as ‘HC of the NEP?’

Belichick and team owner Robert Kraft are reportedly set to meet on Monday to discuss his future with the team. 

JAN. 7: BILL'S DONE, SAYS GLAZER - Unlike too many in the national media, FOX's Jay Glazer does not throw crap against the wall to see if it sticks. And Glazer on Sunday morning is reporting that Belichick is done in New England.

"As far as who's gone ... it's a matter of whether they fire him ... or trade him,'' Glazer said.

On the same panel, Belichick pupil Rob Gronkowski said "I'd be shocked'' by Belchick's departure. But given that Gronk is speaking emotionally while Glazer is a reporter ... the ol' tight end had better prepare to be "shocked.''

JAN. 7 HAY, SNOW ON TAP FOR BELICHICK'S LAST DANCE? - Snow is falling in Gillette Stadium and, according to an NFL insider, the hay is also already in the barn.

As Belichick prepares for what could be his final game in Foxboro this Sunday morning, Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer is reporting that his fate is already sealed.

Writes Breer, "Some within the team feel like the hay has been in the barn for a while with this one, going back to the team’s trip to Germany in early November."

If Breer is correct, Belichick will be fired, Jerod Mayo will be hired as his successor and Sunday's game will the last of the Hall-of-Fame coach's legendary career with the Patriots.

JAN. 6 COMMANDERS, RAIDERS WANT TO INTERVIEW BELICHICK - For now, Bill Belichick is still the coach of the Patriots. And that may be the case after his Monday meeting with owner Robert Kraft.

But, just in case ... the Washington Commanders want in.

Per Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Commanders (along with the Las Vegas Raiders) are hoping to meet with Belichick - assuming he become available.

The Raiders are already offering up a vacancy to be filled by a new full-time head coach after firing Josh McDaniels, though there is obvious locker room support there for interim boss Antonio Pierce.

But in Washington? The 4-12 Commanders have yet to make their move regarding the incumbent Ron Rivera. It is expected, however, that after Rivera coaches on Sunday against the hated Dallas Cowboys that new owner Josh Harris will put into place a plan to rejuvenate the long-moribund Washington franchise.

JAN. 6 RADICAL RUMOR HAS BELICHICK GOING TO EAGLES - We have to seriously consider the source on this one, because Craig Carton has a history littered with wild, unsourced and ultimately swing-and-miss opinions. The FS1 host's latest zany take has the Patriots firing Belichick and the coach being hired by the Philadelphia Eagles.

Many dominoes would have to fall to make this happen. First and foremost, Kraft's unlikely, outright firing of Belichick. Secondly, entering the final Sunday of the season the 11-5 Eagles still have a shot at the NFC East title and the No. 2 seed in the NFC Playoffs. So they'd have to fire with a coach in the postseason that's only a year removed from almost winning the Super Bowl in Nick Sirianni.

Nonetheless, says Carton: ""If I'm Philly and it doesn't go right, I'll be the first team to try to beat the (Los Angeles) Chargers to the phone and bring Bill Belichick in. They would love him in Philadelphia."

Carton goes on to compare Belichick to none other than Pamela Anderson, so - again - grain of salt.

JAN. 6 BULLYCHECK, TO THE BITTER END - According to a stunning, detailed report by the Boston Herald, Belichick oversaw a dysfunctional organization this season which was not only 4-12 on the field but rife with dissension off of it. Among other things, the head coach apparently wouldn't let new offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien have input into new hirings and offensive line coach Adrian Klemm got crossways with player personnel director Matt Groh. Yikes, indeed.

JAN. 6 BELICHICK FINALE: SICK IN A SNOWSTORM? - Sunday's forecast at Gillette Stadium calls for temperatures in the 30s, 6-8 inches of snow and a 100-percent of tears. The potential Patriots finales for Belichick (and Matthew Slater) should provide for an emotional day in Foxboro. The coach changed formats of his Friday press conference because he's fighting an illness. The 71-year-old is expected to be on the sideline Sunday, come snow or sickness or both.

JAN. 5 NFL NETWORK LABELS ROBERT KRAFT FIRING BILL BELICHICK ‘HIGHLY UNLIKLEY’ - With rumors abound as to whether New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is about to guide his team for the final time on Sunday versus the New York Jets, one NFL insider suggests that the man responsible for guiding them to six super Bowl championships might not be in line to receive his “pink slip” on “Black Monday.” 

With Patriots owner Robert Kraft reportedly set to meet with the 71-year-old coach on Monday morning regarding his future with the franchise, NFL Network has submitted the notion that the chances of Belichick being fired are “highly unlikely.” 

“As to whether there might be a point where Robert Kraft says: ‘You know what? I’m just going to move on’ and fires Bill Belichick … That seems to be highly, highly unlikely,” said NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport while guesting on NFL Plus’ The Insiders. 

The Patriots are about to drop the curtain on their worst season since 1992. They are 4-12 entering Sunday's season finale, one which has been defined by offensive futility, in-fighting within the coaching staff and incessant rumors surrounding Belichick’s future with the club. 

Still, Rapoport suggests that alternative outcomes — such as Belichick being retained as head coach, while a new general manager is brought aboard — may be more palatable to Kraft, who has already watched legendary quarterback Tom Brady continue his success with another franchise. In spite of Belichick’s struggles, he is able to pair his impressive resume with helping to craft a defense which leads the NFL in yards-per-game allowed via the run (3.2), while being ranked No. 6 overall. 

It should be noted that he was not so quick to dismiss the notion that both Belichick and the Patriots would “mutually part ways” next week — adding the caveat that that Pats would receive no compensation in this scenario. 

 

JAN. 5 JULIAN EDELMAN PREDICTS BELICHICK TO ... COWBOYS? - Ex Patriots Super Bowl MVP Julian Edelman sees a "tough conversation" coming Monday between Belichick and Robert Kraft and a potential new landing spot for the coach. As in, "How 'Bout Them Cowboys?!"

Asked by FS1's Colin Cowherd Friday if Belichick would take the Panthers job, Edelman snapped "no way!"

"But," he continued, "what about Dallas? What if Mike McCarthy gets knocked out of the playoffs early? Bill over there with that Top 10 offensive line and talent ... they'd at least be fundamentally sound. McCarthy gets a lot of penalties and that clock management ... in the game against the Lions the moment just looked too big."

Belichick has been linked to the Cowboys all season, by everyone from former quarterback Scott Zolak to long-time sportswriter Gary Myers.

Edelman said the irony of Belichick's situation in Foxboro is that - after years of building rosters on the cheap and cutting players in their prime - he must sell himself to Kraft even though he would have cut himself by now if he was a player.

"It's an interesting situation," he said. "Bill's notorious for cutting guys a year or two before they're out of their prime. And he's the first one to tell you that this is a production business. I remember going in to negotiate after I'd won Super Bowl MVP and him telling me 'Look, you're 33 years old and coming off an ACL. I can't give you that.' That's the kind of guy he is. So this is going to be a tough conversation."

JAN. 5 RODNEY HARRISON SUGGESTS END FOR BELICHICK - It was just one week ago that Belichick was waxing nostalgic about Rodney Harrison. The coach was essentially stumping for Harrison's inclusion in this year's Hall of Fame class, calling him "One of the best I’ve ever coached. He’d certainly be on my all-time team."

Harrison, however, isn't exactly returning the favor. The Patriots' Hall of Fame safety and two-time Super Bowl champ said Thursday he thinks Belichick should move on from the team.

"Personally, I think it's time for Bill," Harrison told MassLive.com. "I think a new environment would be great for him. I just think it's gotten to the point in time where he's been there so long, he's accomplished everything you could possibly accomplish as a coach and more, and sometimes, it's just time."

JAN. 5 BELICHICK CHANGES FRIDAY SCHEDULE - In an audible that initially raised red flags at One Patriot Place, Belichick changed his Friday media availability from the usual in-person press conference to a virtual video session. But instead of some secret meetings taking place or the Patriots coach wanting to avoid fond farewells on what could be the last Friday presser of his 24-year career in Foxobro, it appears he's simply sick. And courteous.

"Not feeling great," Belichick said to open the video session. "Trying to spare everyone in the first couple rows."

In a season decimated by injuries, now Belichick (illness) might be on the injury report heading into Sunday's season finale against the New York Jets.

JAN. 5 BELICHICK MIRRORING AWKWARD EXIT OF TOM LANDRY? - Like hat, like hoodie? Belichick's last gasps with the Patriots is eerily familiar to that of Hall of Famer Tom Landry's awkward exit from the Dallas Cowboys 35 years ago.

JAN. 5 JETS COACH OFFERS BELICHICK TRIBUTE - Ahead of Sunday's finale at Gillette Stadium, Jets' coach Robert Saleh says he is in "awe" of Belichick and how the Patriots' coach "transcended" the game of football.

JAN. 4 BELICHICK ON NFL'S SECOND-HOTTEST COACHING SEAT - While there is no consensus on what will happen, there is agreement among almost every NFL observer that something must happen. Whether the ultimate action is a firing, trade or even retirement, USA Today grades Belichick's coaching seat with the Patriots as the second-hottest in the NFL entering Sunday's regular-season finale and Monday's scheduled summit with owner Robert Kraft.

Belichick's heat gets a 3.5, behind Ron Rivera's 5 with the Commanders and ahead of Arthur Smith's 2.5 in Atlanta. Writes USA Today:

"There are too many variables here to be confident in any particular outcome. But given the complexities, it seems like a solid bet that if a change is made, it likely will be a mutual parting and more delicate decision than the outright firings seen elsewhere."

JAN. 4 PATRIOTS GM CANDIDATES EMERGING - Coming out of Monday's scheduled summit with Robert Kraft, Bill Belichick could be outright fired. He could be traded. He could remain as head coach of the Patriots. Or ... what if Kraft allows him to stay but convinces Belichick to give up control of player personnel?

Difficult to envision the 71-year-old, stuck-in-his-ways Belichick agreeing to such a setup when other teams will likely give him full control of their operation. But in that arrangement Kraft would need a traditional general manager in Foxboro, and candidates are beginning to surface.

Among the possibilities are Pats director of scouting Eliot Wolf, 49ers assistant GM Adam Peters (who began his career as a New England scout) and former team executives Dave Ziegler, Thomas Dimitroff and Jon Robinson.

According to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, another name to consider is Bengals senior personnel exec Trey Brown. He started in the Pats' scouting department under Belichick in 2010 and was the Eagles' director of college scouting for the team that beat New England in Super Bowl LII. Breer reminds that Brown has a "good relationship" with potential Belichick successor Jerod Mayo.

Said Breer during an appearance on NBC Sports Boston, "If you’re looking for a guy with applicable experience who’s done a ton of different things, Trey Brown would be that guy.”

JAN. 4 EX CHARGERS STAR DOESN'T WANT BELICHICK IN L.A. - Since the middle of the season the Patriots' Belichick has been connected to the Los Angeles Chargers. But as his first choice to replace the recently fired Brandon Staley, former Chargers' star Shawn Merriman wants Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh.

And as his last pick? Belichick.

"He's not my pick, for a lot of reasons," the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year in 2005 and sacks leader in 2006 said on OutKick’s "Hot Mic" podcast this week. "We all know how great of a coach Bill Belichick is. But I don't know, in my opinion, if you bring in somebody like Bill Belichick right now, that it's going to guarantee a turnaround, a success. He's going to want to come in and call the shots, bring all his people in. I doubt very seriously if he keeps anybody on that staff. So, you're talking about a big turnover. So, he wouldn't be my first choice. He would probably be my last, to be quite honest."

JAN. 4 BOSTON RADIO HOST MAKES CASE FOR BELICHICK RETURN - Boston talk-show host Tony Massarotti of 98.5 The Sports Hub says Belichick should return to the Patriots because he's ... better than Nathaniel Hackett?

JAN. 4 KRAFT, BELICHICK SET MONDAY MEEETING - Less than 24 hours after Sunday's "Foxboro Farewell" at Gillette Stadium, Bill Belichick may have his New England Patriots' fate decided in a summit with owner Robert Kraft.

According to ESPN, Belichick will meet Monday morning with Kraft and his son - team president Jonathan - at One Patriot Place. Reporter Mike Reiss says though a "final decision hasn't been made," Belichick will have to convince the pair that the reasons for this disastrous season are quickly repairable.

It could be a "Black Monday" for the greatest coach in Patriots' history.

JAN. 4 DINOSAUR EXTINCTION FOR BELICHICK, CARROLL? - After Hall-of-Fame careers featuring a combined 513 wins and seven Super Bowls, legendary coaches Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots and Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks could be fired after Sunday.

JAN. 4 GRONK PICKS BELICHICK SUCCESSOR - While Patriots' legend Rob Gronkowski won't believe Bill Belichick's time with in New England is over until it happens, he is picking a preferred successor just in case.

JAN. 3 RIVAL JETS DETERMINED TO SEND BELICHICK OUT A 'LOSER - The New York Jets enter Sunday's season finale at Gillette Stadium hoping to break a 15-game losing streak to the Patriot and send iconic coach Bill Belichick out on a losing note.

JAN. 2 BELICHICK JOKES ABOUT BREAKING PATRIOTS NEWS ON 'MYFACE' - Just days before what could be his final game as coach of the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick invented a fictional website and joked about his future in Foxboro during a radio interview.

JAN. 2 POTENTIAL BELICHICK SUCCESSOR MAYO RESPONDS TO 'WRONG WAY' RUMORS - Patriots' inside linebackers coach and potential Bill Belichick successor Jerod Mayo shot back at stories claiming he has been "rubbing people the wrong way" this season.

JAN. 2 BELICHICK ON CUSP OF NFL INFAMY - Bill Belichick could make history as the NFL's losingest coach if the Patriots are defeated by the New York Jets on Sunday at Gillette Stadium.

JAN. 1 KRAFT TAKING LESSONS FROM BRADY DEPARTURE IN HANDLING BELICHICK? - Patriots owner Robert Kraft might be taking lessons learned from the ugly departure of Tom Brady in his handling of coach Bill Belichick's status with the franchise.

2023 BELICHICK'S TURBULENT TIMELINE - 

*Last offseason Belichick signed a secret contract extension.

*Before Week 1 of the regular season Kraft issued a mandate saying, "I know we play a tough schedule, but I love this team. I expect us to make the playoffs."

*Belichick was almost fired if the Pats lost to the Indianapolis Colts in Germany in Week 10 (They did; He wasn't).

*Belichick is linked by multiple sources to other jobs in 2024, including the Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Chargers and Dallas Cowboys.

*A December report claims Kraft has already his decision to "part ways" with Belichick after the season, rendering him a lame-duck coach.

*A counterpoint report says, on the contrary, no such decision has been made and Belichick might be coaching for his job in the season's final four games.

*NFL insiders and former Patriots alike began casting their informal votes for Belichick's successor, some saying Mike Vrabel is the logical successor while Hall of Famer Ty Law stumps for Mayo.

*Kraft apparently is keen on creating a "bidding war" for his coach, in an attempt to recoup assets via trade rather than an outright firing or mutual divorce.

*Belichick is reportedly telling assistant coaches and staffers that he wants to return to Foxboro in 2024 and beyond.

*FS1's Colin Cowherd said Belichick retaining his job with the Patriots - or getting a new one elsewhere, for that matter - is becoming problematic because the league's younger players and coaches have soured on the 71-year-old legend's style and substance.

*Just after Christmas Belichick apparently began "expressing doubt" to his coaching staff about his future in Foxboro.

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Richie Whitt
RICHIE WHITT

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