NFL Rumors: Patriots Legend Bill Belichick Didn’t View Falcons as a ‘True Contender’

Andrew PetersApril 19, 2024

JOSEPH PREZIOSO/AFP via Getty Images

After Bill Belichick’s exit from the New England Patriots, the legendary head coach was looking to continue his coaching career with the right team.

One of the interested teams was the Atlanta Falcons, who interviewed Belichick twice. However, the franchise ultimately hired Raheem Morris for its head coaching job, and now Belichick enters 2024 without an NFL gig.

While there have been many rumors about Belichick’s candidacy for Atlanta’s head coaching job, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on The Rich Eisen Show on Thursday that the legendary bench boss didn’t view the Falcons as a true title contender.

“I don’t get the sense that Belichick, from our sources, looked at Atlanta as a true contender right now on paper,” Fowler said.

Atlanta made a big jump in the offseason by adding Kirk Cousins in free agency. Last season, Cousins had 2,331 passing yards and 18 touchdowns in eight games before tearing his Achilles. In 2022, Cousins had 4,547 passing yards and 29 touchdowns in 17 games.

But Cousins’ signing came long after the Falcons went with Morris over Belichick, so it’s hard to say if his addition would have swayed his opinion.

With Cousins on the roster, it’s fair to say Atlanta could be a Super Bowl contender in 2024. If the Falcons are able to add an immediate contributor with the No. 8 pick in next week’s draft, that could make their case for Super Bowl contention stronger.

Atlanta hasn’t reached the playoffs since the 2018 season and has posted losing records the last six years. Now with a new head coach and a star quarterback under center, the Falcons are looking to turn the corner and get back into the postseason.

While Belichick wasn’t able to land a coaching job, he’ll still be around for NFL fans, as he plans to join Pat McAfee for draft coverage next week.