If the New England Patriots and Bill Belichick do part ways this offseason, the head coach may end up heading south for the winter.
According to Josina Anderson of ESPN, there are teams within the NFC South division that would be interested in bringing him aboard. She says that there are “high-level sentiments” within the Patriots’ organization regarding the desire between Belichick and New England to mutually split.
Anderson adds that there are still NFL teams whose fates and future direction depend on what happens in Week 18, so other teams’ interest in Belichick could change.
As for which NFC South teams could potentially add Belichick, the Atlanta Falcons seem to be trending toward firing head coach Arthur Smith, and the Carolina Panthers are currently employing Chris Tabor in an interim role.
Of course, whether or not Belichick would actually want to go to any of those possible destinations is another question entirely.
Belichick is 71 years old, so the idea of him starting a complete rebuild with a new franchise may not represent the most practical course of action for him. That’s why squads like the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Chargers—both of whom have a clear franchise quarterback in place—have been rumored to make the most sense for him.
Belichick is now in his 24th season as Patriots head coach. He has led the franchise to six Super Bowl titles and nine Super Bowl appearances. Additionally, he has guided New England to 17 AFC East division crowns. Clearly, he has enjoyed an illustrious tenure in Foxborough.
However, since Tom Brady departed via free agency in March 2020, Belichick and the Pats have fallen on hard times. They have made the playoffs just once in four years since Brady left, and with the season finale against the New York Jets on tap this Sunday, the Patriots are just 4-12 this season. That is the worst mark of Belichick’s time in New England.
We’ll see if Bill Belichick ends up taking his talents to an NFC South squad in 2024.
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