Bill Belichick might be left without a seat at the 2024 NFL head coaching table. While it’s almost too hard to believe that one of the greatest HCs in league history will be unemployed next season, the coaching carousel hasn’t shaken out in Belichick’s favor.
The 71-year-old had two interviews with the Atlanta Falcons earlier this month, but they hired Raheem Morris as their head coach on Thursday. Belichick has not met with any other NFL club regarding its HC vacancy.
Belichick isn’t likely to accept a defensive coordinator position at this point in his storied career. While a mystery team could still emerge, Belichick might spend the 2024 campaign off the sidelines. Where are his best landing spots in 2025?
Where Will Bill Belichick Coach in 2025?
Black Monday in 2025 will undoubtedly include plenty of head coaching openings. Two of the last three NFL hiring cycles have featured at least eight teams searching for a new HC.
Even if Belichick sits out the 2024 campaign, he could have a myriad of options next season — beginning with an AFC East club he knows well.
Buffalo Bills
Sean McDermott weathered the in-season storm for the Bills in 2023, guiding Buffalo to five straight wins to close the year while winning the AFC East for the fourth consecutive season. But the Bills were again eliminated by Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, who knocked out Josh Allen and Co. in the Divisional Round.
McDermott’s .707 regular-season winning percentage ranks second in the league since 2019. He’s clearly a successful head coach — but will Buffalo’s ownership group consider making a change if the Bills fail to advance past Round 2 again in 2024?
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While McDermott and GM Brandon Beane signed recent extensions through 2027, the Bills might be willing to tear up their current setup to hire a legend like Belichick.
Belichick probably won’t be interested in rebuilding a roster from the ground up at his age. Buffalo is ready to win immediately, and Allen’s presence means the club’s window will never really close.
Dallas Cowboys
Belichick could’ve been a candidate in Dallas had Jerry Jones fired head coach Mike McCarthy after another disappointing postseason run. But the Cowboys held onto McCarthy for another season, retaining the HC who’s posted three consecutive 12-win campaigns.
However, it’s hard to imagine Jones making the same decision in 2025 if Dallas doesn’t win multiple playoff games next year. Another Wild Card exit could prove costly for McCarthy, while even a Divisional Round loss might be enough for Jones to look elsewhere.
The Cowboys have an excellent roster and will likely extend quarterback Dak Prescott this offseason, ensuring Belichick would have a high-quality option under center in 2025. Belichick wouldn’t need to handle personnel thanks to de facto GM Will McClay’s presence. And who wouldn’t want to see Micah Parsons in a Belichick defense?
Philadelphia Eagles
McCarthy’s job was tenuous after a shocking Wild Card Round defeat, and so was Nick Sirianni’s. The Eagles ultimately decided to keep Sirianni as their head coach after Philadelphia was upset by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Round 1, but he was forced to fire both of his coordinators.
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Sirianni has already hired Vic Fangio to fix a disaster of an Eagles defense and should be able to find a qualified candidate to work with Jalen Hurts and the club’s offense. A few plays away from a Super Bowl victory in 2022, Philadelphia could be right back in the mix next year.
But Belichick could be on the Eagles’ radar if the team stumbles. Philadelphia boasts a readymade roster and one of the league’s best front office structures. Howie Roseman + Belichick could be a match made in heaven.
New York Giants
Brian Daboll won the NFL’s Coach of the Year award after leading his team to nine wins and a playoff victory in his debut campaign. But New York slid to 6-11 in 2023, while interpersonal conflicts surrounded the club all year.
Daboll eventually fired DC Wink Martindale after the season following multiple verbal spats. Subsequent reports have suggested that Daboll’s abrasive personality and unnecessary rage can be draining for the Giants players and staff.
New York’s ownership group might get sick of the drama. If the Giants don’t rebound in 2024, Daboll’s seat will be hot.
Belichick worked with Big Blue from 1979 through 1990, winning two Super Bowls as New York’s defensive coordinator under head coach Bill Parcells. He’s regularly spoken fondly of his time with the Giants — could he head to NYC?
Chicago Bears
The Bears appeared to be trending toward firing head coach Matt Eberflus at the end of the 2023 campaign and starting fresh with new leadership and a new quarterback next season. But Chicago held onto Eberflus after the club went 4-2 down the stretch, significantly improving its defensive performance and finishing eighth in weighted DVOA.
While Eberflus may receive an extension this offseason to avoid lame-duck status, he must win in 2024. Whether that means grabbing a playoff or simply showing development over last year’s 7-10 remains unclear, but Eberflus’ seat will be moderately warm entering next season.
Even if the Bears struggle in 2024, they will likely have the reigning No. 1 overall pick at quarterback, interesting weapons like DJ Moore and Cole Kmet, a solid defensive foundation, and plenty of cap space and draft picks.
Chicago probably won’t look like a rebuild, even if it disappoints next season. Belichick could be interested in joining GM Ryan Poles and getting the Bears over the hump.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Doug Pederson probably couldn’t buy a drink in Jacksonville after the 2022 season. The Jaguars had rebounded from the horrifying Urban Meyer experience to post nine wins, grabbing the AFC South title and winning an epic playoff game against the Los Angeles Chargers in the process.
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This year, Jacksonville couldn’t overcome injuries and ineffectiveness. Trevor Lawrence and Co. lost five of their last six en route to giving away the division crown and missing the postseason altogether.
Pederson is a Super Bowl-winning head coach, and the Jaguars are probably willing to give him time to build a consistent contender. But on the off chance Pederson is let go in 2025, Belichick could have interest in coaching a talented young quarterback like Lawrence.
New Orleans Saints
Dennis Allen’s job is unquestionably in danger. It wouldn’t have surprised anyone if New Orleans had fired Allen after he failed to win the NFC South for the second straight year.
But even if the Saints are looking for a new head coach in 2025, they might not be an attractive landing spot for Belichick. New Orleans, as usual, is already leveraged to the hilt — they’re a projected $40 million over the 2025 salary cap.
Belichick could cut quarterback Derek Carr and create more cap space with other financial machinations, but the Saints are on the precipice of blowing everything up and starting over. Tying himself to an organization with no clear plan for moving forward might not be Belichick’s best move, but New Orleans could go all-out to land him.
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