Adam Schefter: NFL head coach cycle likely to close with no Bill Belichick hire

The Atlanta Falcons are expected to hire Los Angeles defensive coordinator Raheem Morris as their next head coach. Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick was heavily considered by the Falcons for the job. During an appearance on “NFL Live,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter explained how the organization’s decision affects Belichick.

“Bill Belichick, who’s the biggest name out there, the greatest coach of all time, interviewed twice for the Atlanta Falcons job that now is going to Raheem Morris,” Schefter said. “Bill Belichick did not get called by Seattle. He did not, as of date, get called to Washington.

“Could he still enter into those conversations? Conceivably. We’re well on into these coaching searches and, to my knowledge, neither team has called so far. So, that seemingly would indicate that this coaching cycle, as it currently is constituted, will fill up without Bill Belichick getting a head coach [opening].”

Belichick’s second and final interview with the Falcons was last Friday in person. After the meeting, the organization only met with other potential candidates. Schefter detailed the Falcons’ final meetings with both Belichick and Morris.

“The Falcons owner Arthur Blank really liked Bill Belichick and would’ve supported that hiring. But it’s beyond one man. This is a collaborative hiring effort,” Schefter said. “There are a lot of people in that building that supported Raheem Morris, who met with the Falcons on Tuesday night at Arthur Blank’s house and had a tremendous meeting there.”

What now for Bill Belichick?

With Atlanta’s opening filled, the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders are the only two teams left with a head coach opening. If they turn their interest to Belichick, he boasts quite the résumé.

Belichick was the New England Patriots’ head coach for 24 years, winning six Super Bowls. He has the most playoff coaching wins all-time with 31 and ranks third in regular season coaching wins in the NFL with 302.

In Belichick’s final season with the Patriots, the team finished 4-13, Belichick’s worst record in 29 seasons as an NFL head coach. In an interview with On3, NFL analyst Mark Schlereth explained why teams may have hesitancy hiring Belichick.

“I think most owners want a young offensive guy that has had great success with quarterbacks,” Schlereth said. “So that’s Ben Johnson out of Detroit, Bobby Slowik out of Houston; they want those young offensive coaches. They want somebody they feel like they develop a quarterback. So I think that’s really what you’re looking at.”