More information has surfaced about the most shocking occurrence of the NFL head coach hiring cycle for 2024—Bill Belichick‘s league-wide rejection.
Many people believed that after leaving Foxborough last month, the former head coach of the New England Patriots would immediately take a job as an HC. However, Belichick only conducted interviews with the Atlanta Falcons; Raheem Morris, the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, was selected by the team to fill the head coaching post.
Reasons why Bill Belichick hasn’t been hired
The most successful head coach in NFL history, according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, was overlooked in this year’s coaching cycle for three main reasons. Howe spoke with several league sources, who listed the following three primary factors:
“Three primary reasons were echoed by numerous league sources: Belichick’s mishandling of the Patriots’ quarterback situation in recent years, his desire to maintain total control of football operations and a growing concern over the coach’s ability to relate to this generation of players.
At quarterback, people around the league still don’t understand how Belichick could let Tom Brady leave in free agency, but the lack of a succession plan was nearly as perplexing. Belichick went the budget route with Cam Newton in 2020 and drafted Mac Jones in the first round in 2021 but failed to develop him by virtually every measurable degree.”
Howe’s assessment also said that Belichick’s allegiance to specific executives and coaches was a “red flag” for teams. One instance cited was when Belichick rehired Matt Patricia, the former defensive coordinator, to lead the offense as the play-caller in 2022.
"I would say Bill Belichick is the greatest coach of all time so somebody should've hired him..
I have a hard time understanding how all of this happened" ~ @RapSheet #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/QOUoxw1v9n
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) February 2, 2024
In addition, rumors have circulated throughout the league concerning Belichick delegating more authority while making crucial draft choices. Furthermore, Belichick’s inconsistent draft record, which dates back to 2014, doesn’t exactly support his claim that he is a major factor in determining player personnel choices.
It is now very likely that a team in 2024 will attempt to bring Belichick on board as an advisor or as a coach in the middle of the season. It is probable, though, that he will sit out the season in order to focus on his next head coaching gig the following year.