Bill Belichick was initially considered the frontrunner for the head coaching position with the Atlanta Falcons, but the team ultimately opted for Raheem Morris, indicating a shift in the balance of power.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank initially favored Belichick, but organizational structure concerns emerged during the coaching search, leading Blank to be persuaded against hiring the widely regarded greatest coach in NFL history.
Belichick underwent two interviews with the Falcons, during which questions arose about the potential power dynamics if he assumed the head coaching role. There were speculations about Belichick’s reservations regarding the roles of Blank and CEO Rich McKay in day-to-day operations. On Thursday, Blank announced that McKay would no longer be involved in football operations.
Given Belichick’s history as the de facto general manager with the New England Patriots, there were potential expectations for roster control in Atlanta, a scenario that might not align with the preferences of GM Terry Fontenot and others in the organization. Concerns also surfaced among some Falcons members regarding the possibility of Belichick restructuring the front office only to depart after a few years.
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Dan Graziano of ESPN suggested that Belichick’s desire for control might not sit well with certain team dynamics. Furthermore, there were apprehensions about Belichick attempting to overhaul the Falcons’ front office and then potentially leaving after a short tenure.
Belichick, who is within 15 wins of breaking Don Shula’s record for the most combined regular-season and playoff victories by an NFL coach, might be contemplating a departure after achieving this milestone, possibly with his next team.
With the hiring of Morris, the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders remain the only teams with head coach vacancies. The Commanders are expected to bring in Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. As of now, Belichick has not been linked to the Seattle vacancy.
