New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has found himself on the hot seat all season. Unless the team turns things around quickly, could another NFL franchise benefit from a Belichick departure from a team he led to two decades of dominance?
After the announcement that Belichick did receive a “lucrative” contract extension prior to the season, it would appear unlikely that Patriots owner Robert Kraft would make a change during the season, but what about in the offseason?
Despite those leaked contract details, the Patriots could have a decision to make when it comes to Belichick. If teams come calling and offer draft picks for Belichick, would Kraft be willing to move on if it meant an opportunity to restart his franchise?
If you ask most Patriots fans that question after watching the team start the season at 2-6, it would be an enthusiastic yes that Kraft move on from Belichick and allow him to continue or refuel his success elsewhere like Tom Brady did when he moved on to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Due to roster management, poor drafts, coaching decisions, and the regression of Mac Jones, it could all spell the end of Belichick in New England. If 2023 is the final season of the “Hoodie” in Foxborough, which team is the next franchise willing to give up draft picks for the legendary coach? Here are 3 teams who could come calling.
All 3 teams happen to reside in the NFC East.
Dallas Cowboys: Just for the reason of Bill Belichick coaching Micah Parsons
Let’s start with a team that Bill Belichick could come to and win right away. With an offense and defense already in place, Belichick somehow working for Jerry Jones would be must see NFL TV.
For that possibility to happen, the Cowboys would need to do nothing in the playoffs. If there was a team with a winning record that would make such a change, it would be the Cowboys who are starving for postseason success. If there is a sign that Mike McCarthy isn’t the right play caller in Dallas, there will be rumblings, but with this team on the list, the hype would be seeing Belichick coach a player like Micah Parsons.
Belichick has already been asked about a comparison between Parsons and Lawrence Taylor and the Patriots coach had this to say:
"I would just say I wouldn't put anybody ahead of Lawrence Taylor, period. Maybe I'm prejudiced but I saw that guy every day for over a decade, and he tilted the field for a decade. Until somebody does that, and there's a lot of great players. I'm not taking anything away from anybody else. There's a lot of great players that have been in this league, that are in this league, but personally, I'm not putting anybody ahead of Lawrence Taylor. Not yet."
But would that change once he got an opportunity to coach Parsons? Would Parson grow into an even more dominant defensive player under Belichick? Those are intriguing questions, but also imagine how good that Cowboys defense could be with Belichick scheming.
Keep in mind that he has already coached Stephon Gilmore and would do wonders with a healthy Trevon Diggs in the defensive backfield. That would also do wonders for what Belichick could do with Parsons.
Again, the Cowboys ideally aren’t a team that would be on this list, but the impatience of Jerry Jones makes anything possible. The question would be whether he would want to touch Belichick after his experiment with Bill Parcells.
Washington Commanders: Bill Belichick rumors are already out there
With the end seemingly coming to an end for Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera, there is already Bill Belichick to Washington trade chatter out there.
As a franchise looking to rebuild its brand and re-establish a connection with fans, making a bold move to bring Belichick into the mix (even if just for 2 years) would be the type of buzz that could create some hype around the franchise.
After trading away two defensive studs like Chase Young and Montez Sweat, it seems the Commanders are pretty much punting on the season even despite showing signs of competitiveness this season. Could the new ownership group led by Philadelphia 76ers co-owner and managing partner Josh Harris look at Belichick as an opportunity get into the win column of success?
If rumors are already starting to flourish, there must be some smoke there even if both sides brush off the possibility. At this point in the season, what else are they supposed to do?
Of course, both the Patriots and Commanders could turn the season around which would make this speculation, rumors or whatever you want to call it obsolete, but it does make the Week 9 matchup between the two teams at Gillette Stadium this Sunday much more interesting.
New York Giants: Bill Belichick would end his career where it began
The Bill Belichick back to New York Giants narrative (or pipe dream) has been out there for a few seasons now, even before the Patriots started flirted with mediocrity.
While Belichick has gloated repeatedly about the greatness of Giants legend Lawrence Taylor, a player he coached while he was defensive coordinator of the Giants under Bill Parcels, it seems his time in New York has a special place in his heart. How fitting would it be if he broke Don Shula’s coaching wins record in the place he found his first success as a coach in the NFL.
With current coach Brian Daboll possibly on the hot seat himself, New York Giants owner John k. Mara and Steve Tisch may look at Belichick and see an opportunity to transcend the franchise back into Super Bowl contention.
Although the Giants’ offense may be as bad or worse than the Patriots, the defense is strong and that would be a great starting point for Belichick. Depending on what the draft compensation would be if a trade went down between the Patriots and Giants, Belichick would have an opportunity to draft the next franchise quarterback if he decides Daniel Jones doesn’t fit the mode.
Patriots fans may read this and laugh due to Belichick’s recent draft history when it comes to drafting offensive players, but a new team and an opportunity for a fresh start could spark Belichick into a different approach with roster building.
If Kraft is willing to listen to offers and one comes from the New York Giants, the Patriots owner would have the respect for Belichick to send him to the franchise of his choice. One would assume that is the Giants due to nostalgia.