Over the past two weeks, speculation has swirled regarding the Atlanta Falcons purportedly declining Bill Belichick due to his alleged demand for personnel control. However, team owner Arthur Blank swiftly dispelled these rumors on Friday afternoon.
In a video conference with the media, Blank refuted claims that Belichick ever requested full control during his head-coaching interviews with the Falcons.
“Bill Belichick never asked in our discussions for full control of personnel or anything else in the building,” Blank clarified, as reported by Mike Conti of Sports Radio 92.9 The Game. “All of these things that were being produced by the media were totally not true.”
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Blank emphasized that Belichick expressed a willingness to collaborate and cooperate with Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot.
“He was very inclusive, very collaborative,” Blank continued, as reported by ESPN. “He met Terry Fontenot, checked out our people doing his own references, sent me a private text, which I eventually shared with Terry that he’d be happy working with him.”
Blank also refuted reports that Belichick was formally offered the job, contrary to claims made by former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason. Ultimately, the Falcons opted for Raheem Morris as their head coach. Morris, who hails from New Jersey, previously served on Atlanta’s staff from 2015-2020.
Now, it falls upon Morris to demonstrate that the Falcons made the right decision by passing on Belichick.