Falcons still a good possibility for Belichick
As Jerod Mayo settles into the corner office at Gillette Stadium, his old boss is on the move.
Bill Belichick is set for a second interview with the Falcons this weekend, according to a report from NFL Media Thursday. That’s on the heels of an initial meeting with Falcons owner Arthur Blank Monday.
Belichick, who parted ways with the Patriots after 24 seasons, is one of several candidates for the Falcons’ coaching vacancy. Atlanta already has interviewed Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, Philadelphia offensive coordinator Brian Johnson, and Baltimore assistant head coach/defensive line coach Anthony Weaver, as well as Carolina defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, San Francisco defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, Cincinnati offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, and Baltimore defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald.
The Falcons fired coach Arthur Smith after three seasons in which he went a combined 21-30.
With the job market for NFL coaches continuing to evolve, Atlanta is emerging as a serious destination for Belichick, particularly after Dallas owner Jerry Jones announced Wednesday that the Cowboys would retain Mike McCarthy.
Coming off a 7-10 season, the Falcons have the eighth pick in the draft and some young talent on both sides of the ball (particularly multidimensional running back Bijan Robinson). The NFC South isn’t as cutthroat a division as some of the other possibilities Belichick might consider; the Falcons were just two games back of the Buccaneers, who won the division at 9-8.
Ultimately, the Falcons could represent the best spot for a 71-year-old head coach looking to overtake Don Shula for the all-time wins record. (Including postseason, Shula finished with 347 victories, while Belichick has 333.)
Thomas Dimitroff, who spent time in New England’s front office before becoming the GM in Atlanta, believes Belichick would be a nice fit with Blank.
“In my mind, there’s no question that Arthur Blank I think still is one of the best owners in the league, having all the experience he has, what he gives to the team financially, what he gives to the head coach and provides,” Dimitroff told Kay Adams of Fansided’s “Up & Adcent, ams” Thursday. “That is a big, big deal.
“A lot of people think, ‘Oh wow, would he really jell with Bill, with all of Bill’s strong opinions about how he wants to come in?’ One hundred perI think they will.
“I have no inside information. I want to be very clear about that. What I do know is I’ve worked with both men. I know both men have unbelievable knowledge and insight that they bring to the table from where they’re coming. One from a head coaching position, one from an owner’s position.”
Another option for Belichick could be the Chargers, but according to the team, as of Thursday he had not met with them. Los Angeles could appeal to Belichick for a number of reasons, not the least of which are quarterback Justin Herbert as well as defensive stars Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. Toss in the fact that ownership is known to give a lot of leeway to coaches, and it’s easy to see why this job might be intriguing to him.
On Thursday, it was announced that former Stanford coach David Shaw interviewed with the Chargers. He joins a lengthy list that includes some of the same names that have been attached to the Falcons: Harbaugh, Callahan, Macdonald, and Wilks, as well as Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, Chargers offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, Chargers interim head coach Giff Smith, and former Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier.
In addition, former Titans coach Mike Vrabel and Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris reportedly will interview for the Chargers opening, as well.
The Chargers fired Brandon Staley after two-plus seasons and a 24-24 record.
Tennessee also would seem to be a possibility for Belichick, who would be in the unusual position of succeeding one of his former players in Vrabel. The list of candidates the Titans already have interviewed includes Macdonald and Callahan, as well as Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, Raiders interim head coach Antonio Pierce, and Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka.
Seattle, Las Vegas, Washington, and Carolina also are looking for head coaches. Belichick reportedly is not among the candidates who have met with any of those teams.