Oct 30, 2022; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick before the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: New England Patriots at New York Jets
ATLANTA — When the New England Patriots and Bill Belichick parted ways on January 11th, the six-time Super Bowl winner became the most successful coach to ever hit the free agency market.
Eight days later, he is inching closer to a new job.
The Atlanta Falcons and coach Belichick will have a second interview this weekend, NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reported.
“Things are ramping up with the greatest coach of all time…” Rapoport wrote on X. Falcons GM Terry Fontenot and CEO Rich McKay are expected to be a part of the second meeting.
Belichick and the Patriots “neutrally” parted ways last week after a disastrous 4-13 season put a sour ending on a 24-year run – just several short years removed from ongoing dominance within the AFC – and routine Super Bowl appearances.
It never appeared that Belichick would retire, but most expected he would draw more interest around the league. The 71-year-old has not interviewed with any other teams. Why the resume is obviously enticing, the potential of him wanting full control of the roster could have pushed others always.
Enter the Atlanta Falcons. After a historical collapse in the Super Bowl versus Belichick’s Patriots in 2016 – the Falcons have been a fiasco. They have went 49-67 since, routinely in the gutter of the NFC South, despite a multitude of premium draft picks.
The Falcons have also interviewed Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, Bengals offensive coordinator Biran Callahan, 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson and Ravens assistant Anthony Weaver.
Belichick is the first candidate known to receive a second interview.
Whomever takes over the reigns in Atlanta will first have to solve the quarterback question that derailed the team last season.
