If Bill Belichick doesn't get a coaching job now, which teams might hire him in 2025? (2024)

Bill Belichick is a free agent for the first time this century. But no one seems interested.

Even after a legendary run with the New England Patriots that saw him earn the most Super Bowl titles of any coach in NFL history and a career record of 333-178 (counting the playoffs), teams looking for a new head coach appear to be passing on the 71-year-old Belichick.

Seven teams (not counting the Patriots) have had head-coaching openings this offseason. Only one seems to have seriously considered him. The Atlanta Falcons have been the only team to interview Belichick, but after two meetings with him, they went a different direction, opting Thursday for former Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris.

The only two teams still looking for a coach have signaled they aren’t interested in Belichick. Both the Washington Commanders and Seattle Seahawks are onto their second round of interviews with candidates, and neither met with Belichick the first time around.

Why has it gone this way? It was always going to take the right scenario. Belichick is expected to want more than $20 million per year, which is more than many owners want to pay a head coach. He’s also 29-38 since Tom Brady left New England. And he runs things differently than most after serving as both head coach and de facto general manager for so long with the Patriots. At a time when many owners are seeking collaboration, it’s understandable some would be reluctant to hand total power over to one man.

So it’s looking more and more like Belichick, who has been chasing Don Shula’s all-time wins record (he’s 15 shy of overtaking him), might not be an NFL coach in 2024 for the first time in 49 years. His wait for another head-coaching job — if he still wants one by then — could continue into 2025.

With that in mind, let’s have a little fun and imagine the teams and scenarios that could return Belichick to the head-coaching ranks next year.

Dallas Cowboys

When the Cowboys lost in the wild-card round earlier this month, it was easy to envision Jerry Jones sending a quick text to Belichick asking him to hop on the next plane to Big D. Instead, Jones is keeping Mike McCarthy around for 2024, albeit without a long-term contract. Belichick has developed a relationship with Jones over the years, and it’s not outrageous to think Jones could make a splash post-McCarthy by bringing in the best coach of the NFL’s modern era.

New York Giants

This would be a full-circle moment. Belichick won his first two Super Bowls as an assistant on Bill Parcells’ staff with the Giants. He left with an appreciation for the Giants, which didn’t always happen when he left previous jobs (more on that later). Brian Daboll is returning to the Giants for a third season, but the 2022 NFL coach of the year is coming off a 6-11 season and is replacing two coordinators. If that doesn’t go well, perhaps there could be an opening here for Belichick.

Cleveland Browns

Since we’re talking full-circle moments, how about a reunion where Belichick got his first head-coaching gig in 1991? Kevin Stefanski did a great job keeping the Browns afloat after an injury to Deshaun Watson and through the subsequent transition to Joe Flacco. But this will be his fifth season at the helm in Cleveland, and if it concludes without a playoff win, perhaps there’s a path here for Belichick.

Chicago Bears

The Bears need stability. They’ve had four coaches in the last 10 years. Belichick isn’t going to be a long-term answer for anyone, but he can take over an organization and implement a winning culture. Matt Eberflus is back for another season, likely with a rookie quarterback at No. 1 overall. But let’s not forget that the Bears fired head coach John Fox at the end of the 2017 season, one year into working with a highly drafted quarterback.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints feel like a team that has been lost without Drew Brees and Sean Payton, one that seemingly always has an old roster and salary-cap problems. Bringing in Belichick would mean handing over the keys to the entire operation. But if the Saints struggle again next season, maybe that wouldn’t be such a bad thing.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Speaking of good stories, what if Belichick followed in Brady’s footsteps? The quarterback needed a break from Belichick’s intense and exhausting coaching style, so he left New England in 2020 and won a Super Bowl the following season with the Buccaneers. Coach Todd Bowles’ Bucs were one of the NFL’s most positive surprises this season, but he’ll have to hire a new offensive coordinator after Dave Canales is set to get the Panthers’ top job.

Buffalo Bills

Like the Cowboys, there was talk of Buffalo looking for a new leader after a disappointing playoff loss, but that won’t be happening for at least another year. Under Sean McDermott, the Bills have become one of the best teams in the league — though they haven’t been able to get over the hump and reach the Super Bowl. So why not bring in a coach with ample experience and loads of success on the biggest stage? This one wouldn’t be ideal for Patriots fans who would have to see Belichick twice a year in the division. But it wouldn’t be as bad as …

Kansas City Chiefs

All right, hear me out. Andy Reid is 65 years old. There were rumors last year that he was considering retirement. If the Chiefs win another Super Bowl in a few weeks, perhaps Reid would surprise many around the league and hang ’em up. Then, what if the Chiefs decide to pair Patrick Mahomes with the coach who helped turn Brady into the GOAT? Yes, it’s a little crazy. It’s also hard to imagine a worse scenario for Patriots fans than being stuck watching Belichick and Mahomes topple some of the dynastic New England records that once seemed like they’d stand forever. (I’m sorry for even putting this one into the ether, Pats fans.)

New York Jets

Now we’re getting into the really absurd. Belichick’s disdain for the Jets has lasted 24 years, going back to when he dismissively ditched the franchise via a note and joined the Patriots. When he did a “30 for 30” documentary with Parcells revisiting their time in New York, Belichick refused to even visit the Jets locker room after discussing his time with the Giants. So this probably ain’t happening. But … the Jets could be looking for a restart if Aaron Rodgers, whom Belichick is friendly with, struggles next season. Could you imagine?!

(Top photo: Robert Deutsch / USA Today)