Bill Belichick Destinations: Ex New England Patriots Captain Names 2 AFC Teams
After nearly a quarter of a century at the helm, Bill Belichick's job security as coach of the New England Patriots has never been more in question than it is now.
Perhaps an even bigger question than Belichick's status in New England is where he could go if/when he leaves. Despite the Patriots still having six games left, Belichick has been linked to other teams since it became apparent that this season would be a rough one. With the Patriots at 2-9 and all but eliminated from playoff contention, many believe it's only a matter of time before they make a change.
Even with the Patriots' underwhelming performance as of late, Belichick is still expected to have plenty of suitors if he does indeed leave New England. As for specific destinations, former Patriots safety Devin McCourty believes two AFC teams would make sense for the legendary coach.
Former Patriots defensive back Devin McCourty makes an interception during a game against the Buffalo Bills.
Cred: AP Photos
“Buffalo,” McCourty said on WEEI's The Greg Hill Show. “I don’t think Sean McDermott is lasting after this year. The hard thing in this league is once you start firing coordinators and stuff — you fire Leslie Frazier, then you fire Ken Dorsey. To me, the next thing is the owner fires you. I think a Buffalo or a Chargers.
“Those are two teams that, when you look at it, they have all of the pieces that it takes. I think any owner who’s been in the league, you’ve lost to this guy over and over and over again. Like, you’re not going to magically think he no longer knows what he’s doing. So, if it doesn’t work out and he doesn’t stay in New England, I think there are going to be so many teams [interested].”
The Chargers, who the Patriots host on Sunday in a battle of underachieving teams, have been a fairly common suggestion for Belichick, but the Bills are a more out-of-left-field idea. It's hard to imagine Belichick coaching another AFC East team, but of course, that all hinges on the Bills actually firing Sean McDermott after a disappointing season by their recent standards. According to a report by The Athletic, though, there is a "zero" chance that happens.
The two teams McCourty suggested do have one thing in common, great (relatively) young quarterbacks. After plenty of struggles in the post-Tom Brady era, McCourty is interested in seeing what his former coach can do with an elite signal-caller once again.
“I think it would be scary for the league, putting him with one of these top quarterbacks, a Josh Allen, a (Justin) Herbert. I think it definitely could be,” McCourty said. “The interesting thing about Buffalo is it gives them a chance to stay in the AFC East, which would be very, very fun to watch.”
At this point, reports have linked Belichick to every coach-needy team under the sun, and he will have plenty of interest if he does become available. For now, though, Belichick's main focus is finishing out the current season.
