The upcoming NFL season won't be the same without Bill Belichick pacing the sideline.
Belichick spent the last 24 years as head coach of the New England Patriots, leading them to six Super Bowl titles and nine appearances. The 72-year-old's illustrious tenure came to an unceremonious end after the 2023 campaign.
Shockingly, Belichick failed to land a new head-coaching job for 2024. He interviewed for the Atlanta Falcons' vacant position but the team hired Raheem Morris instead. As a result, Belichick will spend the year working as a football analyst for multiple outlets including "Inside the NFL" and "The Pat McAfee Show."
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Have we seen the last of Belichick as an NFL head coach? Author Ian O'Connor discussed that question with Phil Perry on the latest episode of the Next Pats Podcast.
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"No, I think he's back. I still can't believe that he didn't get hired in the last cycle. I just don't understand that," O'Connor said. "But I wouldn't want to be an NFC East head coach going into the next cycle. Outside of (Dan) Quinn, I think (New York Giants coach Brian) Daboll, (Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick) Sirianni, (Dallas Cowboys coach Mike) McCarthy, he's going to get one of those jobs because one of those three guys is going to disappoint this year at a bad time. So no, I do think he'll be a head coach. I would guess in the NFC East.
"It would be interesting to see him -- and I live in the New York, New Jersey area -- to see him end his career with the Giants, because he should have had that job after (Bill) Parcells. The only reason he wasn't the head coach of the Giants back then was because George Young, the general manager, hated him. And so, they missed on that.
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"To see an end in New York would be a great story, but I do absolutely think he'll be a head coach again. He wants to break (Don) Shula's record and I think he'll have that opportunity."
Also in the episode:
- Drake Maye continues to trend in the right direction.
- Maye showing he’s ready is a good problem to have.
- Players to watch in Sunday's preseason finale.
- Full conversation with O'Connor.