Bill Belichick Rumors: Raiders, Commanders Among Teams Hoping to Speak to Patriots HC

Mike Chiari@@mikechiariFeatured Columnist IVJanuary 6, 2024

Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

The Las Vegas Raiders and Washington Commanders are reportedly interested in meeting with Bill Belichick about their head coaching positions if he becomes available this offseason.

According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, there are also more teams “in the shadows” when it comes to Belichick, but the results of Week 18 and the playoffs will play a significant role in determining exactly how many organizations pursue him.

Belichick is still technically the head coach of the New England Patriots, but rumors and speculation have run rampant regarding the two sides potentially parting ways at the conclusion of a highly disappointing 2023 season.

At just 4-12 entering their Week 18 game against the New York Jets, the Patriots are guaranteed to have their worst record of the Belichick era and their worst mark overall since going 2-14 in 1992.

New England will also miss the playoffs for the third time in the past four seasons after missing the playoffs only three times in Belichick’s first 20 seasons at the helm.

The combination of Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady led the Patriots to an unprecedented six Super Bowl championships in an 18-year span, which caused most to believe that Belichick would be a Patriot for life.

Despite scuttlebutt regarding Belichick’s departure, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Saturday that Belichick and Patriots owner Robert Kraft have not yet talked about parting ways, although they are expected to meet soon to discuss their future.

If those conversations lead to Belichick leaving New England, there is little doubt that the 71-year-old future Hall of Famer will be one of the most highly sought-after coaching candidates available.

Las Vegas would be an intriguing landing spot for Belichick for several reasons, including the fact that his longtime quarterback in Brady agreed to purchase a minority ownership stake in the franchise in May.

Also, Belichick’s longtime understudy and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was the Raiders’ head coach for parts of two seasons before getting fired in November.

Antonio Pierce has performed admirably as the Raiders’ interim head coach, going 4-4, including a 63-21 drubbing of the Los Angeles Chargers and an upset road win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

However, if arguably the greatest head coach of all time becomes available, the Raiders likely have to at least consider it.

As for the Commanders, they are widely expected to part ways with head coach Ron Rivera amid as they enter Week 18 with a 4-12 record and have never posted a winning season in four years under Rivera.

Russini reported Saturday that Rivera and his staff are “well aware” that they are likely to be fired, and she added that the Commanders are “keeping an eye” on Belichick’s situation.

It was also reported by Schefter that Commanders owner Josh Harris is “not expected to spare any expense” in finding the right head coach.

Additionally, the Chargers are already known to be searching for a new head coach after firing Brandon Staley next month, and several other teams could potentially have openings as well, including the New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, Chicago Bears and the entire NFC South.

That means Belichick could possibly have his pick of the litter if he and the Patriots go their separate ways after 24 years together.