Bill Belichick again linked to AFC head coach job
Jan 31, 2018; Bloomington, MN, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick during a press conference at the Mall of America in advance of Super Bowl LII against the Philadelphia Eagles. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Bill Belichick is likely going to be viewed as a candidate for several NFL head coach jobs that open up in the coming weeks, but there is one that he has now been linked to multiple times.
Earlier in the season, a longtime NFL reporter laid out reasons why the Jacksonville Jaguars might eventually make a run at Belichick. That was after the Jags began the year 0-3, and they are now 2-9 following their embarrassing 52-6 loss to the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
The Jaguars are widely expected to fire head coach Doug Pederson in the near future. Dianna Russini of The Athletic said Monday that Jacksonville is a “potential destination” for Belichick, though she noted that it is unlikely the 72-year-old coach would partner with Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke.
As we wait to find out what the Jaguars do next, keep in mind Bill Belichick wants to be a head coach again and the Jaguars should be viewed as a potential destination.
I’m told it’s highly unlikely that a partnership with GM Trent Baalke would take place, per sources.— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) November 18, 2024
On Sunday, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk floated the idea of Belichick and Baalke working together in Jacksonville. While Belichick will likely seek roster control if he lands another head coach job, he and Baalke have a history from when they both worked for the New York Jets in the late-1990s.
The Jaguars might simply prefer to start fresh with a new head coach and GM whether they hire Belichick or someone else.
A much more high-profile team has been viewed as a suitor for Belichick, and the Jaguars probably are not close enough to contention to entice him. Though, if Belichick is looking for less media scrutiny in his next job, Jacksonville might not be a bad spot.