NFC South Franchise Has ‘Strong Interest’ in Bill Belichick After Patriots Release: Report

Bill Belichick is leaving his position as head coach of the New England Patriots, but it might not take long for him to find another position.

Unfounded rumours claim that the Atlanta Falcons, an NFC South team, have a “strong interest” in signing the six-time Super Bowl champion.

Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano of ESPN provided the reports.

On Wednesday, January 10, the day before Belichick formally announced his departure from the Patriots following 24 seasons in charge, they released information.

Atlanta canned Arthur Smith on January 9, and the Falcons “will have strong interest in Bill Belichick,” according to Graziano. Significantly, the latter has “also been told people close to Belichick believe it would be a good fit for him.”

Fowler, who attested, “that’s the sense I get with Belichick, too,” supports Graziano’s account. I heard some of those Falcons rumours and at first I wasn’t sure I believed them, but it seems like they might have some merit.

These rumours fuel speculation that Belichick would go from New England to the NFC South.

The exact same road taken by Tom Brady when quarterback departed the Patriots for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020, hasten the quick conclusion of the Belichick era at Gillette Stadium.

There’s further irony thanks to the Falcons being victims of arguably Belichick’s most famous victory.

It came in the Super Bowl following the 2016 season, when Brady and the Patriots reversed a 28-3 deficit to break Falcons hearts in overtime and claim a fifth Lombardi Trophy.

Bill Belichick Joining the Atlanta Falcons Has Merit

Belichick landing in the South has been heavily mooted in recent days.

On Thursday, January 4, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson revealed as much: “I’m told there are teams within the NFC South with potential interest.”

There’s a lot of merit to the idea of Belichick heading to Atlanta.

He’d inherit a competitive roster in need of fine tuning rather than a major overhaul, following three-straight 7-10 finishes.

QB concerns could make Belichick cautious. Especially given his inability to replace Brady in New England.

However, the Falcons have a better supporting cast than the Patriots because of Drake London, tight end Kyle Pitts, and running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier.

A further benefit is that the South is a weak region that is easily conquered.

Although they finished 9-8 this season, the Bucs barely impressed fans despite winning the championship.

It is highly likely that Belichick would like to surprise the ageing Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, and rebuilding Carolina Panthers clubs in the upcoming season.

He mercilessly took advantage of the AFC East’s lacklustre opposition to establish a large chunk of his legacy with the Patriots.

Belichick would probably be happy to work for the Falcons mostly for ownership reasons. One advantage that Graziano outlined was that it was in a tranquil market, allowing him to focus only on the game of football.

Additionally, he would have a team owner who stays out of day-to-day operations.

Getting back to solely focusing on his role as a football coach is the best way for Belichick to salvage his legacy after the damage done by his final years in New England.

Similarly, the Patriots will benefit from no longer being beholding to one man having total control.

Patriots Need Fresh Start After Bill Belichick

Creating a clean break between Belichick and the Patriots has been on the mind of team owner Robert Kraft for a while.

In fact, Kraft had settled on severing ties with Belichick as early as Week 10, following a loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Munich.

Kraft knows the Pats need a fresh start after just one playoff appearance in four years, a dismal run culminating in this season’s 4-13 finish.

There are holes all over the roster, but the Patriots will still have plenty of candidates to choose from to replace Belichick.

One of the best defences in the NFL is left behind by him. Talented young players like cornerback Christian Gonzalez, outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings, and defensive tackle Christian Barmore led the team, which finished sixth in yards allowed.

It seems evident where the Patriots need improvement, therefore having an offensive background would make sense for the next head coach. Perhaps more significant is who takes over as front office manager.

Belichick made personnel decisions, but his recent record left a lot to be desired, per Steve Buckley of The Athletic: “Since 2013, not a single player drafted by the Patriots in the first three rounds has been re-signed.”

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Belichick’s prolonged incompetence made it simple to say goodbye to him, despite Kraft’s desire for the 71-year-old to succeed somewhere else.

The Patriots won’t get back to winning ways if they let the next coach have the same inviolate authority over roster construction.

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