Scott Zolak: Neither Bill Belichick nor Robert Kraft are at ease
On Thursday’s edition of Zolak & Bertrand, Scott Zolak said neither Bill Belichick or Robert Kraft are at ease after a shakeup of this magnitude. While both sides may seem ready to go their separate ways, both are going into uncharted territory.
You’re not at ease when you lose the greatest coach in NFL history…
Marc Bertrand: The tweets, the stories, how it’s being portrayed. You read from (Adam) Schefter and Mike Reiss at ESPN, (Bill) Belichick and Patriots owner Robert Kraft spent a good part of the week periodically meeting and discussing how each side wanted to proceed. From sources familiar with those conversations, there was said to be no conflict, no disagreement, and in the end, productive talks that resulted in a mutual decision that left both sides comfortable and at ease.
Albert Breer: I’m sure.
Marc Bertrand: At ease. Are you kidding me with this?
Scott Zolak: At ease…. I wouldn’t frame it and I wouldn’t define it as ease. It’s good to be back in this place you want to be to talk about this. Beetle said we carry the press conference live with both Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick. You’re not at ease when you lose the greatest coach in NFL history and he he was your coach for 24 years. You’re not at ease knowing how the next guy, regardless of who it is, and we’re going to talk about the names of the potential hirings, is going to handle things when things hit the fan.
Also, you’re not at ease when you’re a 70 something… greatest coach to ever do it and had to split ways with the team you’ve loved, you’ve always been with. And if you still want to coach, you got to go elsewhere. And you gotta uproot your family and you got to prepare your kids’ families. I assume the kids go with them.
Marc Bertrand: This was the most gentle, missionary boning there would ever be to get fired.
FOXBOROUGH, MA – JANUARY 21: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots celebrates with head coach Bill Belichick after winning the AFC Championship Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Gillette Stadium on January 21, 2018 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
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What's next for Bill Belichick?
Atlanta Falcons
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 24: Kyle Pitts #8 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates after a touchdown during the first quarter in the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
The Falcons were one of the first teams brought up immediately after the initial Belichick news broke. Schefter mentioned them in his original tweet about Belichick wanting to continue coaching, and doubled down with another tweet as well noting that “Falcons owner Arthur Blank has taken some big swings at other high-profile head coaches in the past,” including Joe Gibbs and Bill Parcells.
Schefter isn’t the only one who reported the Falcons’ interest. Dianna Russini reported Thursday morning that “the Falcons have been interested in landing Bill Belichick for weeks,” but did note that they are targeting other candidates (Atlanta requested an interview with Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson on Thursday after the Belichick news broke).
In Atlanta Belichick would inherit a team that went 7-10 last year, but was in the playoff hunt until the final day of the season. The Falcons have a number of talented young players to build around, highlighted by running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London, tight end Kyle Pitts, defensive end Arnold Ebiketie, cornerback AJ Terrell, and safety Jessie Bates.
The biggest thing Belichick would need to address in Atlanta is the quarterback position. Neither Desmond Ridder nor Taylor Heinicke played above replacement level last year. Belichick could turn to the draft to address that need, with the Falcons holding the eighth overall pick.
Carolina Panthers
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 24: Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper looks on prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Bank of America Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
On Sunday, prior to Belichick’s departure, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport wrote a piece on Belichick’s future that included then-potential landing spots. One of the teams included in that report is the Carolina Panthers.
“The Panthers, however, had some interest during their head-coaching search [last year] when they eventually hired Frank Reich, sources say.” Rapoport wrote. “And they might inquire again.”
Carolina is coming off of a 2-15 season that saw Reich end up a one-and-done coach. After giving up a haul (including this year’s first-round pick, which ended up being the first overall selection) for the top pick to select quarterback Bryce Young, Young struggled in an offense lacking talent around him. Their top producer on offense was 33-year-old wide receiver Adam Thielen, and the offensive line allowed 65 sacks, the second-most in the NFL.
On defense the Panthers have a few more pieces, like pass rusher Brian Burns, defensive tackle Derrick Brown, and cornerback Jaycee Horn. Still, the unit as a whole finished ranked 29th in the NFL.
Between the lack of talent on the roster, lack of resources to rebuild the roster, and an owner in David Tepper who just fired a coach 11 games into his tenure, Carolina isn’t the most attractive job opening. Could they sway Belichick into turning things around?
Los Angeles Chargers
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 03: Justin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers makes a pass against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on December 03, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
The Chargers were another team named by Rapoport, although he called them a ‘less likely’ landing spot. The Chargers fired head coach Brandon Staley midseason after a 5-9 start.
Instantly one thing stands out about the Chargers’ situation, and that’s the quarterback situation. Justin Herbert presents a new head coach with a ready-to-win passer, and there’s plenty of talent on the roster around him. That includes on defense, with a unit that features a couple of All-Pros in safety Derwin James and pass rusher Joey Bosa.
In this situation the bigger challenge for Belichick – assuming he has the same kind of personnel control he did in New England – is maintaining that roster. OverTheCap.com has the Chargers projected to be more than $35 million over the salary cap to start the offseason.
Belichick’s experience managing the middle of a roster is exactly what the Chargers need right now. It’s easier said than done, but in terms of chasing the wins record there may be no more win-now ready spot for Belichick than LA.
Las Vegas Raiders
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 07: Owner and managing general partner Mark Davis (L) and interim head coach Antonio Pierce of the Las Vegas Raiders greet each other on the Raiders’ sideline before the team’s game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium on January 07, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Raiders defeated the Broncos 27-14. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The Raiders were the other likely but ‘less likely’ team named by Rapoport. Russini also named the Raiders as a team “hoping to get a chance to meet with Belichick.”
If he were to go to Las Vegas Belichick would be following his former assistant, Josh McDaniels. McDaniels was fired this past season during his third year with the Raiders. After McDaniels’ departure, reports indicated part of the issue was his trying to install the Patriots/Belichick culture in Vegas. Would the Raiders go from him directly to Belichick?
If they did, Belichick would take over a team that seemed to buy in to interim head coach Antonio Piece, going 5-4 under him after a 3-5 start with McDaniels. Again Belichick would have to figure out the quarterback position (the Raiders replaced Jimmy Garoppolo with rookie Aidan O’Connell midway through the season). The rest of the roster has some playmakers, including a defense that ranked ninth in scoring last year.
Washington Commanders
LANDOVER, MARYLAND – FEBRUARY 02: A detailed view of a Washington Commanders logo and new uniform during the announcement of the Washington Football Team’s name change to the Washington Commanders at FedExField on February 02, 2022 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
There’s been mixed messaging on Belichick and the Commanders. Russini listed them as another team hoping to meet with him, but Athletic writer Ben Standig tweeted Thursday morning that ” team is not expected to pursue the ex-Patriots’ head coach.”
In Washington Belichick would have two main focuses. First would be finding a quarterback, after Sam Howell failed to establish himself as a long-term plan. He’d also have to rebuild a defense that finished dead last in the league in scoring last year.
That being said, Washington is primed for a rebuild. The Commanders have the second pick in the draft, and their projected cap space is just under $80 million.
A number of great coaches have finished their careers out in Washington – Vince Lombardi and Mike Shanahan highlight among them. Will Bill add himself to that list?
‘Mystery team’
FOXBOROUGH, MA: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on during the second quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on Sept. 17, 2023. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
In these types of situations it feels like there’s a “mystery team” that jumps into the fray at some point. Rapoport alluded to this on Sunday saying “there is also the possibility that a team with a head-coaching position not yet open could have interest in Belichick.”
Who might the mystery team be? The Dallas Cowboys have been mentioned as a dark horse to land Belichick if their playoff run this year comes up short.
There was also some speculation midseason that Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott could be on the hot seat. Buffalo has rebounded since then but could a one-and-one playoff performance render that late season run irrelevant? If so, could it lead to Belichick returning to the AFC East?
