Tag: Bill Belichick

Bengals fans aren’t alone suggesting Bill Belichick as team’s next coach

It’s not just fans suggesting the Bengals think about a change…knowing Bill Belichick is out there.

When it comes to spitballing names capable of replacing Zac Taylor as next head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals, one can’t skip over Bill Belichick.

Hence, on our top candidates to replace Taylor project, Belichick, is near the top of the list.

Unlikely? Sure. The Bengals firing Taylor at all would be a big change in the franchise’s approach. But one doesn’t have to look far on social media to see fans speculating about the Belichick idea.

And it applies to NFL analysts too. Bill Simmons of The Ringer recently proposed the idea, citing the Bengals as a possible win-now spot.

“This could be another job that’s open, and I was thinking it’s a pretty interesting [Bill] Belichick job,” Simmons said. “If you’re going for wins if you’re Belichick, if one of the reasons you’re coming back is to break the record, then Burrow is the best quarterback available. Otherwise you’re looking at [Jacksonville Jaguars QB] Trevor Lawrence, you’re looking at whatever the Giants do, you’re looking at whoever the hell the Raiders QB is going to be.”

This is something the Bengals should probably be thinking about if the train really goes off the tracks the rest of the way. If they choose to move on from Taylor, they would get the very top candidates looking their way, not guys with little head coaching experience.

Would Belichick come to town? Would the Bengals even entertain firing Taylor if they lose out the rest of the way? Maybe not, but it depends on the temperature of a locker room led by Joe Burrow that, frankly, doesn’t seem all that hot right now.

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Could Bill Belichick be eyeing a coaching job with this AFC team?

Is Bill Belichick eyeing another AFC team?

Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is still believed to have an interest in coaching in 2025. According to NFL insider Dianna Russini, one team that could particularly be of interest to the legendary coach is the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Belichick hasn’t coached since splitting with the Patriots back in January. He was passed over in the initial wave of head coaching hirings. Since then, he has kept busy, appearing on multiple television programs and speaking at clinics.

“Belichick certainly has his eye on this Jacksonville opening,” Russini said on “Scoop City” podcast. “This is an organization that has tons of respect for Belichick. They’ve got a good relationship already. … When you think about what they’re looking for and need there, it starts to make sense. This is a team that’s looking for structure. They’re looking for good situational football. They’re looking for a coach that can maximize talent, specifically on defense. They’ve got solid-to-good guys on their defense.

“The things they’re looking for make sense. But the question that I’m gonna have about how the Belichick situation is gonna work is what is going to be the power dynamic? Is he gonna get the keys to the castle? If they’re gonna give him unilateral control, like allow him to do that, why wouldn’t he go there?”

Of course, this would all hinge on Doug Pederson being fired and the team offering Belichick the job.

It’s a hypothetical situation with many interesting storylines. For one, Mac Jones is currently the backup quarterback for the Jaguars. Belichick spent a first-round draft pick in 2021 on Jones, in an attempted Patriots rebuild that failed to work.

But would Belichick actually agree to not having total control of the team in terms of personnel? It would be one of the biggest stories in 2025 if things unfolded that way.

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Bill Belichick says Sean Payton should be a Coach of the Year candidate

“They don’t even have a full team here from a salary cap standpoint,” Bill Belichick said of what Sean Payton is doing with the Broncos.

The Denver Broncos are 6-5 and within reach of making the playoffs, and former NFL coach Bill Belichick has taken notice.

During his appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Monday, Belichick suggested that Broncos coach Sean Payton should be in consideration for Coach of the Year honors.

Technically, Belichick said “Executive of the Year” for the way Payton has managed the team, but that’s not an award Payton would qualify for.

“I think Sean really should be in the running for — whatever, Executive of the Year or whatever you want to call it,” Belichick said. “I mean, to play with, you know, a team that’s 30% under the strength based on the salary cap and the dead money that they had to carry.

“They don’t even have a full team here from a salary cap standpoint. But these guys are playing really well and they’re in a tough division, but seems like they’re getting better. And they’re good on defense.”

The Broncos took on a $53 million dead money cap hit this spring when they released quarterback Russell Wilson. Despite that, Denver’s been competitive this fall, which is no small feat.

Belichick also spoke about the fit Nix has been in Payton’s offense as a rookie.

“Sean runs a tough offense,” Belichick said. “He does. They substitute almost on every play. They change formations a lot. They don’t repeat plays — they repeat concepts but not plays. There’s a lot for the quarterback to do to get things organized cleanly, and it seems like Nix is doing a good job of it. … It’s a pretty smooth operation.”

Notable praise from one of the best coaches in NFL history. Payton and Nix appear to have the Broncos back on track.

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Cowboys predicted as potential landing spot for $25 million coaching hire in 2025

The Dallas Cowboys have had an interesting coaching dynamic ever since Jerry Jones bought them from Bum Bright over three decades ago. Jones brought his University of Arkansas buddy, Miami Hurricanes head coach Jimmy Johnson with him in 1989 and …

The Dallas Cowboys have had an interesting coaching dynamic ever since Jerry Jones bought them from Bum Bright over three decades ago. Jones brought his University of Arkansas buddy, Miami Hurricanes head coach Jimmy Johnson with him in 1989 and together they laid the foundation for a dynasty.

After the relationship declined, another Arkansas friend, Barry Switzer took over and won the third of four Lombardi’s in four seasons. Following that success, though, it’s been an interesting swing between inexperienced or well-regarded champions. For every Chan Gailey there’s been a Bill Parcells, for every Dave Campo there’s been a Mike McCarthy. None of them have been able to recapture the magic formula from the early 1990s.

Of course the common denominator is that each coach has had to work with Jones as their GM, but seeing how that’s not going to change, what will he look for in his next coach after McCarthy’s tenure ends in January (or sooner)?

That could be a head coach with more success than every one of the others combined. Bill Belichick is starting to refloat his interest in returning to the sidelines in 2025, and Dallas is predicted to be one of the spots where he could land.

Belichick, 72, has spent this year working in the media, most notably for ESPN’s College Gameday and CW Network’s Inside the NFL. When last in the NFL with the New England Patriots, his salary was believed to be the highest among NFL head coaches, $25 million. He earned it, winning seven titles with the Patriots over a two-decade run.

Comparatively, McCarthy is believed to be making around $5 million to coach the Cowboys.

Legendary NFL head coach shares his thoughts on Ravens, Steelers rivalry

A legendary NFL head coach shared his thoughts on the Ravens and Steelers rivalry

The Baltimore Ravens are set to take on the Pittsburgh Steelers in a big Week 11 matchup. The showdown will feature two teams with aspirations for first place in the AFC North. Pittsburgh currently holds the lead at 7-2, with Baltimore not far behind at 7-3.

On the Pat McAfee Show, legendary NFL head coach Bill Belichick was asked about the Steelers and their season so far. He mentioned their matchup against the Ravens as a good test, saying the two teams don’t exchange Christmas cards due to their rivalry.

Both teams have seen plenty of success in 2024, which is one of the many reasons their matchup should be one of the best of Week 11. There is a massive amount of history in the rivalry between Baltimore and Pittsburgh, with another chapter set to be added on Sunday.

Bill Belichick has interesting take on Patriots’ victory over Bears

Bill Belichick shared his thoughts on the Patriots’ Week 10 victory

Former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick was hesitant to give the organization credit following their 19-3 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday.

He did give some credit to rookie quarterback Drake Maye, but when it came to the Patriots beating the Bears, he credited the Bears’ own inefficiencies as a big reason for the Patriots’ win.

“Well, I think [Maye’s] done a good job when he’s been able to scramble and run around,” Belichick said on “The Pat McAfee Show.” “Made some plays on play-action where they can separate the defense because the running game, when [Rhamondre] Stevenson can get it going, draw some of the coverages and the linebackers up and so forth.

“But to me, the bigger thing is just where the Bears are. They can’t protect. They can’t move the ball. They can’t score any points.”

New England picked up their third win of the season on the back of their defense. The unit recorded nine sacks in total and 13 quarterback hits. It was a tough, gritty victory for a team that has won two out of their last three games.

Belichick has certainly been slow to give the Patriots credit throughout their victories. One has to wonder if he still holds a grudge over how things went down at the end of his tenure with the team.

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3 players with Patriots ties make Bill Belichick’s Midseason All-Star Team

The Patriots are well-represented on Bill Belichick’s Midseason All-Star Team

Former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick named three of his former NFL draft picks to his Midseason All-Star Team.

Defensive end Keion White, cornerback Christian Gonzalez, and former Patriots kicker Chad Ryland, who is now with the Arizona Cardinals, were all named to the team.

White has recorded four sacks and 38 combined tackles on the season, while Gonzalez has established himself as one of the best corners in all of football. The former University of Oregon standout is having another solid year, tallying 40 combined tackles and an interception in nine games played.

Meanwhile, Ryland has made a major impact on the Cardinals. The 2023 fourth-round draft pick has made 10-of-11 field goals and all nine of his extra points. He was most recently named the Special Teams Player of the Month for October.

White and Gonzalez are becoming defensive cornerstones for the organization, and Ryland is finding tremendous success after a change of scenery.

It just goes to show Belichick’s imprint on the game is still very much alive, even when he’s away from coaching.

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Bill Belichick includes 4 Steelers in his midseason best

4 Steelers make Belichick’s midseason team.

When it comes to evaluating talent, there are few who can claim to be as good as Bill Belichick. Belichick is one of the greatest head coaches in NFL history and he has six Super Bowls as a head coach to back it up. He also won two more as the defensive coordinator of the New York Giants.

So when Belichick put together his midseason All-Belichick team, we paid attention. We paid even closer attention when we realized he put four members of the Pittsburgh Steelers on the list.

On defense, Belichick included defensive tackle Cam Heyward and outside linebacker T.J. Watt on the list. Heyward has returned from an injury last season, got himself a big new contract and is playing like a young player once again. As for Watt, he’s once again a frontrunner for Defensive Player of the Year.

Belichick also gave props to the Steelers special teams. He put safety Miles Killebrew, who is perhaps the best kick blocker in the NFL and kicker Chris Boswell on the team. Boswell has been the team’s most reliable scoring threat in Pittsburgh for years and this season is no different. Boswell is averaging 10.6 points per game and the team is averaging 23.4 points per game.

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Bill Belichick and girlfriend Jordon Hudson post a maritime couples costume on Halloween

The coach and his girlfriend put on a couples costume for Halloween.

Bill Belichick has heard it from, well, the entire world about his latest relationship with 24-year-old Jordon Hudson, including a snarky tweet from former NFL QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. Yes, it’s all about the age difference between the two (Belichick is 72 years old, if you’re wondering).

But whatever everyone’s saying, he and Hudson are ignoring it. After she dressed up in a throwback New York Giants outfit, Hudson posted a photo of her and the future Hall of Fame coach on Halloween in a couples costume: he’s a fisherman, she’s a mermaid that he caught.

Here’s the photo we saw on October 31:

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Bill Belichick selects three Browns stars on his midseason list

NFL Legend Bill Belichick selected LG Joel Bitonio, DE Myles Garrett, and CB Denzel Ward to his mid-season award list.

Bill Belichick selected his midseason All-Pro team on his podcast Thursday. The Coach’s Podcast is hosted by Belichick and former head coach Matt Patricia. The coaches were joined by former Browns’ front office executive Michael Lombardi to break down the best players this season. The group went over every offensive, defensive, and special teams position. 

Belichick selected three cornerstone pieces of the Browns’ franchise. Left guard Joel Bitonio, defensive end Myles Garrett, and cornerback Denzel Ward were at the top of the list. Unsurprisingly, no Browns players were selected for a Special Teams award. The three were brief in their complements.

Belichick admired Bitonio’s toughness this season when he kicked out to offensive tackle. The group acknowledged Garrett is the best defensive end in the NFL. Belichick believed Ward was the best cornerback before his injury. The group expressed their concern for Ward’s latest concussion.

The Browns have built up a talented team of stars. After a disastrous season start, fans hope those stars can lead the team to the playoffs. They probably need a few other players to leap to superstar during the season. Hopefully, Belichick’s end-of-season list will feature a few more Browns players.