Bill Belichick is no longer the head coach of the New England Patriots, bringing an end to a historic run. The legendary figure is one of the hottest candidates on the market as teams fight to bring in the head coach who won six Super Bowls.
With several possible landing spots for Belichick, where does his NFL coaching future lie?
Where Will Bill Belichick Coach in 2024?
Despite spending 24 years with the Patriots, Belichick isn’t ready to retire just yet.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported shortly after Belichick was fired, that “Bill Belichick will want to continue coaching and is expected to draw interest from at least some of the other seven NFL teams.”
Needing just 15 wins to overtake Don Shula as the head coach with the most NFL wins, Belichick is now looking for the next spot that will allow him to break the record and make a run for another championship.
Here’s a look at some of the open head coaching spots where Belichick could land.
Atlanta Falcons
After firing HC Arthur Smith after a Week 18 loss to the Saints, the Atlanta Falcons are looking to make a hire that allows them to compete now. Of all the open vacancies, Belichick may feel Atlanta is primed to do just that.
However, the Falcons and Belichick have a history — not a good one for Atlanta fans. Belichick, of course, oversaw the massive comeback from 28-3 to win Super Bowl LI, humiliating Atlanta in the process.
If the Falcons can put this grudge behind them, then the fit does make sense. Owner Arthur Blank is 81 years old and wants to win now. Meanwhile, Belichick, 71, wants to continue coaching and become the winningest head coach in NFL history.
MORE: Why Did the Patriots and Belichick Part Ways?
The Falcons’ roster isn’t in bad shape. The defense is ranked 10th in PFN’s NFL defense rankings and the ninth-ranked offensive line in PFN’s OL rankings. They just need to add a key ingredient, the quarterback.
If the Falcons can get the decision right at QB while adding more talent at the receiver position, they’re primed for a run. Thus, if Belichick wants to go to a team and win now, Atlanta may be the prime candidate to do so.
Los Angeles Chargers
As soon as the Los Angeles Chargers fired HC Brandon Staley and GM Tom Telesco, Belichick was instantly named a possible candidate.
The opposite of the Falcons, the Chargers have their QB in place in Justin Herbert but still need to add talent across the roster. With an open GM spot, L.A.’s front office is already positioned for Belichick to enter.
The roster does need some work and Los Angeles needs to do some salary cap magic, but Belichick has proven he can navigate tricky waters.
The Chargers’ defense has taken steps back recently, and Belichick can likely turn that unit around. Los Angeles also needs to work on its offensive line, another area Belichick prides himself in.
Belichick may look at this team and think he can win with this. If he does, then L.A. is an exciting spot for the iconic head coach.
Washington Commanders
If the new Washington Commanders‘ ownership structure is looking to make a splash in the head coaching market, Belichick would fit the bill.
With plenty of resources to work with, the Commanders are an enticing job proposition. Belichick would have the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and a massive amount of cap space to improve the existing roster.
MORE: NFL World Reacts to Bill Belichick’s Departure
Owner Josh Harris took the year to evaluate things in Washington, but after a 4-13 season, he opted to fire Ron Rivera on Black Monday — immediately drafting in a team of advisors to make sure they get the next hire right.
If Harris wants to show that the new look Commanders are different, Belichick would be a great way of setting the tone. However, ESPN’s John Keim reported shortly after Belichick was fired, that the Commanders had “no interest” in pursuing the former Patriots head coach.
It seems unlikely that Washington will go after Belichick. However, we’ve seen smokescreens before. Plus, you should never rule anything out in the NFL.
Carolina Panthers
While the Carolina Panthers have a vacancy, the link to Belichick seems like a stretch. Not only do the Panthers need a full rebuild, but they also have an owner who is extremely involved in the day-to-day running.
In his time with the Patriots, Belichick has liked to run his ship, being head coach and GM, making all key personnel decisions. Nothing we’ve seen from Carolina owner David Tepper leads us to believe he would be willing to give away so much power and control.
While some parts of the Panthers are encouraging, the fit doesn’t feel right.
Want to predict the rest of the 2023 season with our FREE NFL Playoff Predictor? Looking for the most up-to-date NFL standings? What about a breakdown of team depth charts or the NFL schedule? Pro Football Network has you covered with that and more!