NFL insider expects Atlanta Falcons to hire Bill Belichick as next coach barring ‘future development’

It appears that legendary head coach Bill Belichick is going to be the next head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, per Josina Anderson.

Anderson posted on social media that, barring an issue in negotiations or any kind of future development, Belichick will sign as the next head coach of the Falcons. However, he notably has not signed up yet.

“Barring a snag in negotiations or a future development (still have to get a signature), I’m expecting Bill Belichick to become the next head coach of the NFC South* Atlanta Falcons,” Anderson wrote. “His previous rapport with #Falcons CEO Rich McKay creates comfort he can’t mimic in any other building with a current vacancy. Owner Arthur Blank is very skilled at being convincing and selling the benefits of coming to Atlanta—as I learned from Calais Campbell.”

One notable party of the dynamic in Atlanta is the general manager. In New England, Belichick had control over his roster and it became a point of tension by the end of his tenure there. With the Falcons, he has a situation that he feels comfortable with.

“The GM dynamic in Atlanta is presumably more palatable for Bill in Flowery Branch than it would be in Philly, and as mentioned both sides have been talking about this through for a while; thus my previous reports. I expect Belichick to reunite with some members of his former staffs whenever he makes it official.”

Bill Belichick spent 24 years in New England, compiling a 266-121 record, which if the playoffs were included jumped up to 296-133. He also won six Super Bowls in New England, including one against the Falcons. Atlanta, meanwhile, is coming off three straight 7-10 seasons.

Adam Schefter updates the latest on Bill Belichick following Atlanta Falcons interview

For Arthur Blank, Bill Belichick is a massive hire. For years, as Adam Schefter had previously explained after Belichick interviewed with Atlanta, Blank has wanted to land a big name head coach. Now, it appears he has.

“He’s a coaching free agent and the one meeting that we’ve known he has taken so far is with the Atlanta Falcons. And what we know about the Falcons is the Falcons’ owner, Arthur Blank, has taken multiple repeated big swings at high-profile coaches and never really landed one. He tried to hire Nick Saban a few different times. He tried to hire Joe Gibbs. He tried to hire Bill Parcells. He’s tried to hire a lot of decorated coaches. None is more decorated than Bill Belichick, who he’s already met with,” Schefter said on Get Up.

“So, that to me would seem to be the team that seems most interested in Bill Belichick, unless there’s a job like the Eagles that opens and we’re still waiting to hear and there’s nothing there yet. So, Bill’s a coaching free agent. He headlines the list. Atlanta is the one team we know is in play.”