Bill Belichick a long shot for Commanders and Seahawks, NFL’s 2 remaining head-coaching vacancies: Sources

Former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick is viewed as a long shot for the Washington Commanders and Seattle Seahawks coaching vacancies, league sources said, opening up the possibility the second-winningest coach in NFL history could be without a team in 2024.

The chances of that increased Thursday when the Atlanta Falcons, the only team to interview Belichick this offseason, moved to hire Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris.

It would take a change of direction for something to happen with the Commanders or Seahawks, according to league sources. The other six head-coaching vacancies this offseason have been filled.

Entering the 2023 season, it was more or less accepted that Belichick would remain with the Patriots for as long as it took to supplant the late Don Shula as the winningest coach in NFL history. But Belichick and New England parted ways after going 4-13. Belichick interviewed with the Falcons twice last week.

GO DEEPER

Inside Bill Belichick’s downfall after 24 years, six titles with the Patriots

Counting the regular season and playoffs, Belichick has 333 coaching victories. This leaves him 15 coaching victories from passing Shula, who won 347 games as coach of the Baltimore Colts and Miami Dolphins.

Time is becoming Belichick’s enemy as he pursues the record. He turns 72 on April 16.

If Belichick does not coach in any capacity in 2024, it will end a streak of 49 consecutive seasons on a coaching staff in the NFL. He began his career as a “special assistant” with the Baltimore Colts in 1975 under head coach Ted Marchibroda.

Required reading
Inside Bill Belichick’s downfall after 24 years, six titles with the Patriots
Falcons to hire Rams DC Raheem Morris as head coach, per sources: What happened to Bill Belichick?
How Bill Belichick’s mishandling of Mac Jones, offense, led to demise with Patriots
(Photo: Chris Unger / Getty Images)

Get all-access to exclusive stories.

Subscribe to The Athletic for in-depth coverage of your favorite players, teams, leagues and clubs. Try a week on us.