Bill Belichick was widely considered a top candidate for the Atlanta Falcons’ head coaching position during the offseason, sparking surprise when Raheem Morris was selected instead.
A detailed ESPN article released on Wednesday reveals why Belichick may have missed out on the role after leaving the New England Patriots.
The report, written by Don Van Natta Jr., Seth Wickersham, and Jeremy Fowler, suggests that Belichick’s former employer, Robert Kraft, may have influenced the decision.
According to the article, Belichick met with Falcons owner Arthur Blank on Blank’s yacht in mid-January, and the meeting appeared successful. However, subsequent discussions between Blank and his close NFL friend Kraft might have swayed Blank’s decision towards Morris.
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Sources indicate Kraft warned Blank against trusting Belichick, reflecting a deterioration in their relationship, with one source mentioning Kraft found Belichick increasingly difficult and untrustworthy over the years.
Despite these allegations, Patriots spokesperson Stacey James told ESPN that Kraft never spoke ill of Belichick and had advocated for him for the Falcons job.
The Falcons did not comment directly but referenced Blank’s statements during Super Bowl week that Kraft supported Belichick. The ESPN story, considering multiple factors for the hiring decision, highlights Kraft’s potential role as a significant element of why Belichick did not secure the Falcons position.