The New England Patriots have yet to make any announcements about the status of Bill Belichick, but it sounds like at least one team is monitoring the situation closely.
Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reported on Monday that the Carolina Panthers have made “informal inquiries” about Belichick. The Atlanta Falcons have also had some internal discussions about the 71-year-old coach.
Following up: I'm told the Carolina #Panthers, at a high level, has made informal inquiries regarding #Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and its vacancy. Additionally, I'm told there's been a desire in the #Falcons building to at least determine if Belichick would be a good fit.… https://t.co/XQbtekRJix
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) January 8, 2024
Belichick has given zero indication that he plans to retire. That means he will either remain with the Patriots in 2024 or look to coach elsewhere. Panthers owner David Tepper, who fired Frank Reich in Reich’s first season on the job, might want to make a big splash with the team’s next hire.
The big question, of course, is whether Belichick or other reputable coaches would want to work for Tepper. The billionaire has a reputation for being too hands-on, and his behavior at a recent game probably did nothing to help him attract top candidates.
The Patriots finished 4-13 this season, which was their worst record in more than 30 years. Belichick hinted on Monday that he would be open to accepting a big change if he remained in New England.
