NFL Insider Suggests Darkhorse Landing Spot For Bill Belichick

Bill Belichick must love how the 2024 NFL season is unfolding.

Belichick reportedly wants to return to the sidelines in 2025, and given the way things are trending this fall, the future Pro Football Hall of Famer might have no shortage of options. A handful of “win-now” teams aren’t playing up to their abilities, which could prompt their decision-makers to seek out a new coach who can maximize potential.

The Dallas Cowboys have been the team most commonly linked to Belichick for obvious reasons. But at the end of the NFL’s Week 3 slate, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio floated another potential suitor for the New England Patriots legend.

“Bengals about to be added to the Belichick watch list, too,” Florio posted to X after Cincinnati’s home loss to the Washington Commanders on Monday night.

Zac Taylor seemingly strengthened his job security by leading Cincinnati to Super Bowl LVI and the 2022 AFC Championship Game in back-to-back seasons. He also can’t be knocked too much for the Bengals’ 9-8 record last season, as Joe Burrow was limited to nine complete games due to injury.

But Cincinnati dropped its first three games this season, and two of those losses were to teams that picked inside the top three in the draft this year. If Taylor isn’t able to right the ship, it could force ownership to evaluate his status this offseason.

Would Belichick want to coach the Bengals? That’s unclear. But leading a team whose quarterback’s playing style mirrors Tom Brady’s might pique the interest of the eight-time Super Bowl champion.