Phil Perry: Bill Belichick decided to draft Mac Jones, not Robert Kraft

Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston joined Zolak & Bertrand in studio. Perry shared all sorts of intel, including that it was actually Bill Belichick who decided to draft Mac Jones, even though some reports suggest he wanted Davis Mills instead:

"What I can tell you about the Mac Jones draft pick. I've spoken to multiple people, multiple people who are in the room that night. First round 2021, Bill Belichick gathers everybody and says "are we good with this?" He didn't love Mac Jones. I think that is safe to say. He didn't love him so much that he's willing to trade up for him. He wasn't all in on Mac Jones. But, he was the one who made the Mac Jones pick. That was Bill Belichick's call. What I was told was, quote, Robert had nothing to do with it. This is from multiple people who are in the room. So for Bill Belichick maybe or or his people close to him to suggest that he never wanted him in the first place. It's not totally right. They knew where they were as an organization, which was quarterback purgatory. And if they didn't take a guy that they felt like could be a starter, then they were going to be S.O.L. And so they ended up going with Mac Jones. But now it's feeling like now that we're looking back "we're trying to distance ourselves from what didn't go right. Right. Everybody wants to. That wasn't me. That wasn't me. . Not because of anything I did. Not my fault.'

"I feel like we're getting a little bit more of that..."

Bill Belichick is out as Patriots head coach. The question now is, where does he go next?

We'll have all the news & rumors covered every step of the way with our official Bill Belichick Tracker at 985TheSportsHub.com. Belichick is certain to have a multitude of suitors around the NFL, and there's already been plenty of reporting from top NFL insiders on where Belichick might land next.

The only team to fill their head coaching vacancy so far is, ironically, the Patriots, who have named Jerod Mayo their next guy. But Belichick's next stop is sure to be one of the biggest subjects of rumors throughout the NFL off-season, even among Patriots fans. Until he actually joins a new team, we'll all be on "Belichick Watch."

Read below for the latest news & rumors surrounding Belichick and his next team in the tracker below.

In perhaps the least surprising news in recorded history, Mark Maske of the Washington Post has named a few potential names for Bill Belichick's coaching staff, should he join the Atlanta Falcons. Would anyone be shocked if Matt Patricia, Josh McDaniels, or Joe Judge joined Belichick in Atlanta? Of course they wouldn't.

READ MORE: This detail about Bill Belichick and Matt Patricia highlights the Patriots' dysfunction

No surprise here, but Dianna Russini of The Athletic is reporting Bill Belichick as the Atlanta Falcons' "top candidate" to become their next head coach. Falcons owner Arthur Blank flew his private jet to New England to bring Belichick to Atlanta for more meetings, after the pair met privately for dinner.

Belichick and the Falcons are one step closer. According to Ian Rapoport, Belichick is set to have a second interview with the Falcons this weekend. Rapoport adds: "Things are ramping up with the greatest coach of all time..."

Falcons owner Arthur Blank previously met with Belichick 1-on-1 about potentially joining his organization. It sounds like the Falcons have emerged as the favorites for Belichick's services.

Bill Belichick has oficially completed his first head coaching interview of 2024. As first reported by Tom PelisseroTom Pelissero of the NFL Network, Belichick recently met with Falcons owner Arthur Blank to discuss their HC opening.

Pelissero reports that the interest between the two sides is mutual and the talks are “ongoing.” However, a deal is “not imminent” at this time.

The Falcons were previously reported to have interest in Belichick, even before he and the Patriots officially parted ways.

The Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers continue to be bandied about as possible destinations for Belichick. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport said Friday that the Panthers looked into Belichick even last season, so their interest should continue now that he's a free agent.

What if Belichick's next team is playing in the playoffs right now? That's an interesting idea posed by Ted Johnson on Thursday's Zolak & Bertrand show. If the Eagles flame out and move on from Nick Sirianni, Belichick might be the ideal hire for them, as a ready-made team in "win now" mode.

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Patriots insider Jeff Howe joined Toucher & Hardy on Thursday to discuss Belichick's departure from the Patriots. The Los Angeles Chargers have a head coach opening and, as a team with a franchise quarterback in place and a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, seem to make sense as a landing spot for Belichick. However, Howe believes the Chargers "are going to want a younger offensive minded head coach," and thus won't be in the mix for Belichick.

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Dianna Russini of The Athletic recently wrote in a column about the NFL's head coach carousel: " There are other organizations, like the Commanders and Raiders, hoping to get a chance to meet with [Bill] Belichick." So, add them to the list. The Commanders recently hired former 49ers assistant GM Adam Peters to be their new GM, and he previously worked for the Patriots as a scout under Belichick.

https://theathletic.com/5182695/2024/01/06/nfl-week-18-coaching-carousel-news/