Bill Belichick’s Future as Head Coach in Question as Falcons Go in Another Direction
Bill Belichick, the legendary head coach of the New England Patriots, is facing an uncertain future as the Atlanta Falcons have decided to hire Raheem Morris as their new head coach instead. This surprising turn of events has left many wondering what impact it will have on the Patriots organization and the league as a whole.
One of the immediate consequences of Belichick not landing a head coaching job in 2024 is the potential retention of his sons, Steve and Brian Belichick, within the Patriots organization. According to new head coach Jerod Mayo, the team has extended an offer to both of them to remain with the team. This is good news for New England as both Steve and Brian have played crucial roles in the team’s defensive success in recent years. Steve, who joined his father’s staff in 2012, has effectively been running the defense alongside Mayo. Brian, on the other hand, has been instrumental in developing the team’s safeties group. Their knowledge of the system and proven track records make their retention a definitive win for the Patriots.
The impact of Belichick’s absence as a head coach extends beyond his sons. Players and coaches alike would have been in the spotlight had Belichick taken on a new coaching role. While there may still be changes within the Patriots organization, the absence of Belichick as a competing force on another team may no longer factor into these decisions.
Another area that may be affected by Belichick’s absence is the search for an offensive coordinator. With Raheem Morris being named the Falcons head coach instead of Belichick, it is possible that some of the offensive coordinator candidates the Patriots interviewed may join other teams. Morris has previously worked with two of Jerod Mayo’s reported offensive coordinator targets, Zac Robinson and Nick Caley. It would not be surprising to see Morris value familiarity and potentially bring them on board in Atlanta. This could leave the Patriots without their preferred candidates and force them to consider other options.
One potential option for the Patriots is the return of Josh McDaniels. McDaniels, who previously served as the Patriots’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, was fired as the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. He would have been a candidate to reunite with Belichick in Atlanta or wherever he ended up. However, with Belichick’s future uncertain, McDaniels may now be a candidate to return to New England. While McDaniels lacks experience in the Shanahan system that the other offensive coordinator candidates have operated in, he brings a wealth of experience and success from his time with the Patriots. His return could provide a sense of stability and familiarity for the team.
In addition to the impact on the Patriots, Belichick not becoming the Falcons’ head coach also has implications for Mike Vrabel. Vrabel, who previously played for the Patriots and has a strong connection with Belichick, may not land a head coaching job in 2024. There is a possibility that Vrabel could return to the Patriots in some capacity, possibly as a consultant. His return would further strengthen the bond between Vrabel and his former club.
Overall, Bill Belichick’s future as a head coach remains uncertain as the Atlanta Falcons have chosen to go in another direction. This decision has significant implications for the Patriots organization, particularly in terms of retaining key personnel and filling coaching positions. The search for an offensive coordinator may need to be reconsidered, and the potential return of Josh McDaniels could provide stability. Additionally, the possibility of Mike Vrabel returning to the Patriots adds another layer of intrigue to Belichick’s future. As the offseason progresses, it will be interesting to see how these developments unfold and what impact they will have on the league as a whole.