A lot has happened with the Philadelphia Eagles organization over the past week. The Eagles lost to the Washington Commanders in Week 16, and quarterback Jalen Hurts is out for Week 17 due to a concussion.
Plus, there was an altercation in the handshake line between head coach Nick Sirianni and former Eagle tight end Zach Ertz during the post-game handshake after the game against the Commanders.
The Eagles’ 10-game winning streak was snapped in Week 16, and just maybe Sirianni could be replaced by a future Hall of Fame coach if there is not a deep playoff run from Philadelphia after being one-and-done in 2023.
Would Bill Belichick Leave Before Coaching a Single Game at North Carolina?
Replacing a successful head coach like Sirianni would be a big gamble, but there is one former NFL coach out there who could be a possibility, six-time Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Belichick.
Belichick surprised the football world when the 72-year-old decided to take the head coaching job at North Carolina rather than trying to get back to the NFL.
The Eagles would be a plug-and-play team as they have made the playoffs in four straight years, and they went to the Super Bowl in 2022 — all under Sirianni’s tenure. Plus, the Eagles have stars in the likes of Hurts at quarterback and running back Saquon Barkley who is threatening to break Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record.
On “The Herd with Colin Cowherd,” the Fox Sports radio host came out with a scorching take saying that Belichick could become the Eagles head coach this summer and never coach a game for the Tar Heels.
“This is my hot take,” Cowherd said. “If Philadelphia loses in the first round or the second round, Bill Belichick can get out of his contract in [June].
“That’s my hot take.”
"This is my hot take. If Philadelphia loses in the first or second round, Bill Belichick can get out of his contract in July."
— @ColinCowherd isn't ruling out Nick Sirianni getting replaced pic.twitter.com/vc7iY98Jn1
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) December 27, 2024
Cowherd also mentions the Buffalo Bills as a possible landing spot for Belichick if Sean McDermott is let go.
Belichick’s contract with North Carolina is a five-year deal worth $50 million. His buyout is $10 million if he leaves before June 1, 2025, but that number sinks to $1 million after that date. It would cost him eight figures to get back to the NFL for the 2025 season, but Belichick can likely handle that buyout as he has earned over $200 million in career earnings as an NFL coach.
However, it seems like an unlikely move for Belichick to just bolt after a few months on the job without ever coaching a game.
Does Belichick Want to Break Don Shula’s Record?
Belichick is already considered the best NFL coach ever with six Super Bowl titles, but he is not the league’s winningest coach. He is 15 wins away from breaking Don Shula’s record for most wins as an NFL coach.
The question is if that record is important to Belichick.
READ MORE: NFL Head Coach Wins Leaders
As reported by ESPN’s Seth Wickersham, while Belichick wanted to break Shula’s record, he termed it wasn’t “essential.”
“He told confidants that Shula’s record mattered to him, but it wasn’t the essential thing,” Wickersham reported. “It wasn’t why he has worked hours that have come with a steep personal price. He has always competed as if his self-worth was tied to the result. Losses took on a life of their own.”
If Belichick were to go to the Eagles or Bills, that record could be broken within two seasons. Perhaps that is worth paying $10 million to get out of his contract with North Carolina.