Why teams reportedly expressed ‘relief’ that Belichick wasn't hired

Bill Belichick’s resume might speak for itself.

But despite the eight total Super Bowl rings that he boasts from his time with both the Patriots and Giants, the future Hall-of-Fame coach isn’t going to be patrolling an NFL sideline in 2024 — at least not in a head-coaching capacity.

While the case can be made that Belichick hasn’t lost his fastball when it comes to his preparation and command on the defensive side of the ball, his desire to be involved on the personnel side of football operations reportedly steered several teams away.

“Sources with multiple teams that just hired new head coaches expressed varying degrees of relief Belichick wasn’t joining their team,” The Athletic’s Jeff Howe wrote in a column published Friday detailing Belichick’s failed job search this offseason. “Some were concerned Belichick would overhaul the leadership structure and the order of command.”

After the Patriots opted to part ways with Belichick last month, the 71-year-old coach had seven total coaching vacancies to choose from across the NFL this winter.

But most of the smoke surrounding Belichick revolved around the Atlanta Falcons — who interviewed Belichick twice before opting to hire Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris as their next head coach.  

Belichick was also considered for the Washington Commanders’ head-coaching vacancy before Washington ultimately hired Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.

Other than Atlanta and Washington, Belichick was not linked to the other five head-coaching gigs that were up for grabs this offseason — all of which have now been filled.

Howe expanded on the reason why Atlanta ultimately decided to change course on Belichick amid reports that he was the early frontrunner for the job.

“They were each on a fact-finding mission to determine whether the organization’s power structure was the right fit to sustain success with Belichick, who had become accustomed to total control over football operations, as Falcons owner Arthur Blank was poised to keep his leadership structure intact,” Howe wrote, adding: “Sources close to Belichick also cited a frosty relationship with Falcons president Rich McKay as a primary reason the parties might have decided they could or should not work together.”

There stands a chance that Belichick will be given an opportunity to coach an NFL team in 2025 as more opportunities arise. 

But for now, Howe noted that the Patriots’ disastrous 2023 season remains fresh in the minds of several teams assessing whether or not Belichick was the right coach for their organization. 

“Three primary reasons were echoed by numerous league sources,” Howe noted of why Belichick didn’t land a job this offseason. “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.”