Bill Belichick, the legendary former head coach of the New England Patriots, has been linked to a surprising return to the NFL sidelines, potentially replacing a current under-pressure coach. The 72-year-old has been tipped as a possible replacement for Doug Pederson, head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, who is facing increased scrutiny after a disastrous start to the 2024-25 season.
Belichick, who won six Super Bowls during his 24-year tenure with the Patriots, was let go at the end of last season and replaced by Jerod Mayo. Despite being one of the most successful coaches in NFL history, he was unable to secure a coaching role during the offseason. He did interview with the Atlanta Falcons, but the team ultimately chose Raheem Morris over him for the head coaching position.
Since then, Belichick has turned to broadcasting, making appearances on popular sports shows like The Pat McAfee Show and working with ESPN. However, there is growing speculation that he may not be done with coaching just yet, and a secret clause in his ESPN contract reportedly allows him to take a head coaching job at any time if the opportunity arises.
This brings us to Jacksonville, where the Jaguars are off to a miserable 0-3 start, and the pressure is mounting on Pederson, who is now in his third season with the team. Despite high expectations, including a $55 million per season contract for star quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the Jaguars have struggled mightily. Lawrence has been underperforming, and some fans have even called for him to be benched. The team’s recent 47-10 blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills has only added to the sense of crisis.
Enter Bill Belichick, whose name has surfaced as a potential replacement should the Jaguars decide to part ways with Pederson. NFL insider Albert Breer, of The Monday Morning Quarterback, recently discussed the possibility on The Dan Patrick Show, citing Belichick’s strong relationship with Jaguars ownership, particularly Shad and Tony Khan.
“They’re just a sneaky one with Belichick for me,” Breer said. “Tony Khan has a strong relationship with Bill Belichick, to the point where, when they hired Doug Marrone full-time back in 2017, they did so largely on Bill Belichick’s advice.”
Breer pointed out that Belichick has long been in the ear of the Jaguars’ ownership and speculated that his influence could be playing a role behind the scenes as the team weighs its options. “I just wonder if that’s not rattling around in the heads of ownership up there now,” Breer said. He also noted that Belichick has a residence in South Florida, which would make a move to Jacksonville more convenient.
Pederson, who led the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl victory in 2017, has yet to replicate that level of success in Jacksonville. With the Jaguars underperforming, particularly with Lawrence’s recent 0-8 record dating back to last season, Pederson is facing significant pressure to turn things around quickly. If the team continues to struggle, it’s possible the Khans could look to Belichick as a solution.
Belichick’s credentials are unmatched—six Super Bowl rings and two decades of dominance with the Patriots—but the question remains whether he would be the right fit to help revive the Jaguars. While Jacksonville has a talented roster, particularly with Lawrence at quarterback, the team has not lived up to expectations, and the window to compete may be closing.
Belichick’s ability to work with quarterbacks has been well-documented, most notably with Hall of Famer Tom Brady during their historic run in New England. Some believe that bringing in Belichick could be exactly what Lawrence needs to turn his career around and unlock his full potential. However, others wonder if the 72-year-old Belichick, known for his demanding style, would be able to connect with the younger generation of players in today’s NFL.
The rumors of Belichick’s return have added an extra layer of intrigue to Jacksonville’s early-season struggles. With a clause in his ESPN contract that could allow him to step back into coaching at any moment, it’s entirely possible that Belichick could soon find himself back on the sidelines, potentially leading a new chapter with the Jaguars.
As Pederson’s seat grows hotter with each passing game, all eyes will be on Jacksonville to see whether the Khans decide to make a bold move and bring in one of the most successful coaches in NFL history to try to salvage their season.
For now, the future remains uncertain, but Belichick’s name continues to hover around the Jaguars’ coaching situation as they look for answers in a turbulent season.
