Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots parting ways following the 2023 season changed the entire landscape of the NFL going forward. However, with him not getting a new NFL job and likely not coaching in 2024, he might have a future in broadcasting instead.
While Belichick may end up on TV, Stephen A. Smith doesn’t think he is a good fit. What did one of the leading voices in sports media have to say about Belichick’s potential entrance into the business?
Stephen A. Smith Suspicious of Bill Belichick’s Broadcasting Pedigree
Smith, who has been active in the industry since the 90s and with ESPN since 2005, is a co-host on ESPN’s First Take, which airs every week Monday through Friday. However, Smith’s quote didn’t come from there. On Wednesday, Belichick’s potential to enter sports media was brought up on a live recording of Green Light with Chris Long.
“I’m gonna tell you something. I think that Tom Brady — for example — is going to be a superstar in broadcasting,” Smith said. “I’ve interviewed and talked to him; I believe in Tom Brady. I think he’s going to be spectacular — trust me on this.”
However, despite his belief in Brady, he doesn’t believe in Brady’s former counterpart. “I don’t think Bill Belichick is going to be good at all,” Smith said.
“And it’s not about his talent. It’s about the fact that you don’t go from not giving a damn about the audience and having virtually nothing to say for years to people suddenly caring about what you have to say,” Smith said.
Belichick had coached in the NFL since 1975, being a head coach from 1991-1995 for the Cleveland Browns and 2000-2023 for the Patriots. He was also de facto general manager both times. He’s a six-time Super Bowl champion, three-time AP NFL Coach of the Year, and part of the NFL’s 2000s and 2010s All-Decade teams.
Belichick is also a member of the NFL’s 100th Anniversary All-Time team and on four different Patriots all-time teams (All-2000s, 50th Anniversary, All-2010s, and All-Dynasty). If he doesn’t coach again, as he is 71 years old, he will finish his career with a 333-178 record, including a 31-13 postseason record.
“You have to ingratiate yourself with an audience, to give them something to look forward to when you have the opportunity to do so,” Smith said. “You can’t be on top of your pedestal — literally for decades — winning six Super Bowls … never having a damn thing to say.
“We live in an age where you see youngsters entrenched in analytics and data — quantitatively, qualitatively — looking at things a certain way, managing, analyzing it, and speaking the language of the owners. Why do you think Bill Belichick don’t have a job? That’s the reason,” Smith said in response to Long’s defense of Belichick.
“You tell me one person who trusts Bill Belichick to market something for them,” Smith said. “I know he’s going to win, and ultimately, winning might pull it off; don’t get me wrong. But that’s applicable to everybody.”
KEEP READING: What’s Next for Belichick? NFL Insider Reports Early Interest From Multiple Teams for 2025
Miss football? The 2024 NFL Draft is almost here, boss. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!