The Belichick clock is ticking

The 2024 season is starting to settle down. The 2025 offseason will soon come into focus.

Coaches are fired; that is inevitable. Candidates will emerge to work with other teams. That too is unavoidable.

One candidate is already known. And he is currently unattached. Any owner can decide during the season to sell Bill Belichick at the end of the season, or sooner at the latest. (And we know that happens even when it shouldn’t.)

Here’s the first (and possibly only) part of our Belichick watch list. These are the teams that might be interested in hiring the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach. That’s not the case, or should be (or shouldn’t be), but could be.

Many believe the biggest factor in Belichick’s next job will be whether and to what extent an owner is willing to make contractual commitments if not de factoControl of the team to Belichick. If it was clear that he would be the coach and only the coach, with no effort or inclination to make personnel decisions, he would already have a job. In Atlanta or possibly in Washington. His potential reluctance to operate in a structure that placed him under a younger, less experienced and far less accomplished GM was enough to keep the likes of Arthur Blank, the new member of Arthur Blank’s Falcons Ring of Honor, away from him.

There is an important threshold factor that some owners may consider. Does the fan base want Belichick?

It’s hardly self-evident. Last year, when it became clear that Belichick and the Patriots were going their separate ways, we posted a poll on Twitter that asked a very broad and general question. If your favorite team is looking for a coach this offseason, would you want Belichick? About three out of four respondents answered no.

That’s probably one of the reasons Belichick decided to dip his foot into the media pool. Before opting for a cannonball instead.

He’s so overexposed that the natural reaction might be, “Who cares?” Yes, he said some interesting things. But most of it is noise. And his delivery and demeanor still resemble one of his many press conferences too closely to remind those who see and hear him of the curmudgeon who often seemed condescending, curt and dismissive.

So which teams are on our first Belichick watch list? Let’s go:

1. Cowboys.

Many consider this to be obvious. I think Jerry Jones will ultimately be too cheap to pay Belichick. Until then, Jerry will take advantage of the opportunity to attract as much attention as possible. Heck, he spoke publicly about finally signing Belichick in January, not long after declaring that the coach, who won 36 games in three regular seasons, would be back for the final year of his contract.

On Wednesday PFT LiveMichael Holley had an interesting idea. If Belichick were the coach and only the coach in Dallas, would he expect far less than he is making in New England?

Another appeal, given the rivalry between Jones and Patriots owner Robert Kraft, would be the opportunity to remain loyal to his former employer.

2. Eagle.

After last year’s season-ending free fall, Nick Sirianni’s future was in doubt. Belichick’s availability added to the uncertainty.

Sirianni could be in trouble again this year depending on how the next 14 games go. Belichick remains on the radar screen until we know if Sirianni has done enough to secure another season.

3. Giants.

Belichick has always had a soft spot for the Giants. When details of the Jimmy Garoppolo handling breakdown began to emerge a few years ago, a report surfaced that Belichick would want to coach the Giants if things ended in New England.

Depending on how the rest of the year goes, the Giants could make another change; John Mara has fired four coaches in less than a decade.

The possibility of Belichick ending up with the Cowboys or Eagles could be enough to get Mara to pull the trigger and make the man who once left as NYJ’s HC the NYG’s new HC/GM.

4. Jaguars.

This one was evident during Monday night’s embarrassing loss to the bills. Owner Shad Khan made everyone aware before the season started – win now.

If current trends continue, Khan could decide to turn to Belichick.

It could be even worse than when Khan hired Urban Meyer.

5. Bengal.

This one became fascinating during Monday night’s unexpected loss to the Commanders. However, I added them to the list for one reason: to get them off the list.

The Bengals are definitely too cheap to hire Belichick. Hell, they’re too cheap to release Zac Taylor with three years left on his contract.

Like the Cowboys, they would be too cheap to fire Taylor alone one remaining year of his contract.

6. Bears.

The franchise is bursting with history. The city, which looks like an offspring of New York and Pittsburgh, is bursting with football. The squad is bursting with talent, except on offense.

Would the Bears pay Belichick? Maybe not.

Or maybe if they believe he’s the guy who can get the team back to a level that will raise enough public money to finance a new stadium.