After the Atlanta Falcons interviewed Bill Belichick twice, only to hire Raheem Morris as head coach, there is now a very real possibility that the six-time Super Bowl winner will be without a seat when the music stops this hiring cycle.
The Falcons took to X on Thursday evening to announce that they were moving forward with Morris as their head coach.
Got Heem!
We have hired Raheem Morris as our head coach
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) January 26, 2024
Be it concerns over the fact that Belichick's winning percentage without quarterback Tom Brady is just .451, or that the Patriots' roster withered away and fell woefully behind New England's AFC rivals on his watch, or a reluctance to hand personnel control over to Belichick, there might not be a team willing to hire Belichick.
The future Hall of Famer may face the choice between spending at least a year outside of football or take a step back.
There just so happens to be a storied franchise, with an enthralling young quarterback in place that took the NFC's top seed to the brink in the divisional playoffs that has a vacancy. A defensive coordinator vacancy, that is.
The Packers Should Pursue Bill Belichick
Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images
The Green Bay Packers should at least shoot a text message to Belichick to gauge his interest in the role.
It would be an obvious long-shot that Belichick's ego would allow him to go from commanding an empire in the fortress that is Foxborough to devising defensive game plans in Green Bay.
However, the role presents some potentially compelling green shoots for whatever future as a head coach Belichick might desire.
Belichick's reputation as a defensive mastermind is unquestioned, and in Green Bay the 71-year-old would have the opportunity to issue a stark reminder to the rest of the league how significant an impact he can make on a defense. Belichick has also gushed over the legacy of the Packers franchise, particularly how Don Hutson changed offenses forever with their early passing attack.
The Packers made the postseason in 2023, despite finishing 17th in total defense while allowing 20.6 points per game. If Belichick is able to elevate Green Bay into a top-tier defense in 2024, the opportunity is there, given Jordan Love's emergence and a bevvy of young talent on the offensive side of the ball for the Packers to make a legitimate run at a Super Bowl.
Just imagine the market for Belichick as a head coaching candidate in January, 2025, a year removed from 29-38 over his final four seasons in New England.
Likewise, there was a point in the middle of the 2023 campaign that Packers head coach Matt LaFleur was squarely on the hot seat.
If Green Bay falters out of the gate in 2024, particularly if the struggles are due to a regression on offense, and Belichick is the defensive coordinator, he could be an unexpected blowout loss away from becoming the head coach of a second heritage franchise.
The intricate musical chairs game is about to end, with just two head coaching vacancies remaining, where Belichick hasn't been linked to even an interview.
While the idea of Belichick moving on from his New England empire to playing second-fiddle behind LaFleur in Green Bay may seem far-fetched, the potential benefits for both sides are fascinating. Belichick's defensive brilliance could be the Packers' missing piece to taking the next step, offering Belichick a chance for redemption and Green Bay a Super Bowl run.
