Bill Belichick Once Again Trending In Falcons’ Coaching Search

The Atlanta Falcons decided to hire now-ex-head coach Raheem Morris two years ago after an extensive search.

Next to Morris, taking final interviews inside the Falcons’ building was longtime New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.

Just days after Belichick had been let go from his head coaching role in New England, where he won six Super Bowls in 24 years, he was the first candidate to receive a second interview in Atlanta.

He was treated to yacht trips with the owner. All signs were pointing to the then-71-year-old taking the reins in 2024. Belichick not getting the job was reportedly a shock to him, and he has been out of the NFL since.

After completing back-to-back 8-9 seasons, Morris was fired along with general manager Terry Fontenot.

Five other teams actively are searching for a head coach, with a few other jobs heavily rumored to open up. But Belichick’s name has once again emerged as the lead candidate in Atlanta.

The writing was on the wall for Morris’ staff after they started the season 4-9, becoming one of the first teams eliminated from playoff contention.

This led Mike Florio of “ProFootballTalk” to hypothesize what could’ve been if Belichick were the head coach in Atlanta all this time.

“If Bill Belichick had been hired, how different would the Falcons be right now?” Florio said. “They’d still have Bijan Robinson; he would have inherited him. I don’t think they would have done the weird ‘let’s pay Kirk Cousins $100 million fully guaranteed and then 43 days later draft Michael Penix Jr.,’ — I don’t think Bill Belichick’s going to do that.”

Florio then said that the Falcons’ reservations during the first round of interviews with the former Patriots coach were his desire to fully “take over” the franchise. However, this time around, that might be what Atlanta needs.

“Maybe Arthur Blank decides, ‘you know what, I just should’ve hired Bill Belichick in the first place, I’m just going to call him up, and I’m just going to give him the keys,” Florio said.