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Here are 5 realistic landing spots for ex-Patriots coach Bill Belichick

jordy mcelroy
·4 min read
4

Even after parting ways with the New England Patriots, an argument could still be made that Bill Belichick is one of the best coaches in the NFL.

What ultimately led to his undoing in New England couldn’t simply be chalked up to wins and losses. It was the questionable personnel decisions that kick-started the rapid decline, which culminated in the team finishing the 2023 season with a 4-13 record and last place in the AFC East division.

Bill Belichick, speaking to the media last week after leaving the Patriots, is still a hot commodity.
Bill Belichick, speaking to the media last week after leaving the Patriots, is still a hot commodity.

But even with one of the worst rosters in the league, especially on the offensive side of the ball, the Patriots still remained competitive in most games. Belichick was a good enough head coach on the field to nearly overcome his own shortcomings with the personnel decisions.

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There should be plenty of teams lining up and vying for his services, as he tries to surpass the NFL's all-time wins total by a coach. Here are five teams that would be realistic landing spots for the greatest coach in NFL history:

Dallas Cowboys

2023 record: 12-5

The Dallas Cowboys have finished the last three straight seasons with a 12-5 record, and the most they have to show for it is a wild-card round playoff victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022.

On Sunday, they got blown off their home field by the Green Bay Packers in embarrassing fashion. Big changes should be coming to Dallas, and it could start with the firing of head coach Mike McCarthy.

Former Patriots captain Devin McCourty suggested the Cowboys make a run at hiring Belichick, which makes sense for both sides. The Cowboys would get the greatest coach in NFL history, and Belichick would be on a team that would help him break Don Shula’s wins record and contend for another Super Bowl.

Tennessee Titans

2023 record: 6-11

Tennessee Titans fans are still seething over the team’s decision to fire Mike Vrabel as head coach. What better way of making it up to the Titans’ faithful by going out and hiring Belichick?

Why would a six-time Super Bowl-winning coach consider a team with questions at the quarterback position and a middle-of-the-road defense? The Titans might also lose their best offensive weapon, running back Derrick Henry, who is set to enter free agency.

But Belichick was born in Nashville, and his presence might be enough to keep Henry around. Titans receiver DeAndre Hopkins already has a great relationship with Belichick as well. This could be an unexpected homecoming for the legendary coach.

Carolina Panthers

2023 record: 2-15

The Panthers no longer have a first-round draft pick, and they sit outside of the top-10 in projected salary cap space in 2024. They were also the worst team in the NFL this season.

Nothing about that situation sounds good for a 71-year-old coach looking to break a wins record and potentially compete for a Super Bowl. Still, the Panthers are in need of a head coach, and they couldn’t do better in that department than Belichick.

They’ll do whatever they can to make themselves an attractive landing spot for Belichick and other candidates.

Los Angeles Chargers

2023 record: 5-12

If not the Dallas Cowboys, the next best destination for Belichick to win football games is with the Los Angeles Chargers. He’d have Justin Herbert as his quarterback, along with a bevy of offensive weapons already on the roster.

On defense, the team has two of the NFL’s most feared pass-rushers in Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. A ready-made team like the Chargers that can win football games and compete right away makes the most sense for Belichick.

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) reacts after throwing a touchdown pass during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at SoFi Stadium.
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) reacts after throwing a touchdown pass during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at SoFi Stadium.

But the competition should be stiff in Los Angeles. The Chargers just completed an interview with Jim Harbaugh, who just coached the Michigan Wolverines to a national championship.

Atlanta Falcons

2023 record: 7-10

The Atlanta Falcons are the first team to confirm their interest in Belichick, having announced on Monday night that they have already interviewed the former Patriots coach.

There are some serious questions at quarterback with Desmond Ridder, but the Falcons also own the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. They might miss out on Caleb Williams and Drake Maye, but they could have a shot at Jayden Daniels and Michael Penix Jr.

There’s also the possibility for them to trade up in the draft. Atlanta’s roster is incredibly underrated, and most would argue they underperformed in the worst division in football in 2023.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: 5 realistic landing spots for ex-Patriots coach Bill Belichick