Report reveals what gave the Falcons hesitation about hiring Bill Belichick

Nov 18, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks on the field before a game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Bill Belichick was at one point viewed as the favorite to become the next head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, but the team decided to go in a different direction by hiring Raheem Morris. It sounds like that had a lot to do with a balance of power.

According to ESPN’s Dan Graziano, Falcons owner Arthur Blank went into his team’s head coach search wanting Belichick. However, issues developed regarding the organizational structure with the team, and it sounds like Blank was talked out of hiring arguably the greatest coach in NFL history.

The Falcons interviewed Belichick two times, and questions reportedly arose about what the power structure would look like if Belichick were given the job. Belichick may have been concerned about the roles Blank and CEO Rich McKay would play in day-to-day operations, though Blank announced on Thursday that McKay will no longer be involved in football operations.

Belichick served as de-facto general manager with the New England Patriots for years, and he may have wanted roster control in Atlanta as well. That probably would not have sat well with GM Terry Fontenot and others.

Graziano adds that some with the Falcons were concerned about the potential of Belichick trying to overhaul the team’s front office only to leave in a few years. Belichick is just 15 wins shy of breaking Don Shula’s record of 347 combined regular-season and playoff victories for an NFL coach. His plan may be to ride off into the sunset after hitting that mark with his next team, assuming there is a next team.

With the Falcons hiring Morris, only the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders have head coach vacancies. The Commanders are widely expected to hire Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Belichick has not been linked to Seattle.

Belichick would supposedly prefer to avoid certain teams if he continues to coach, so he may have to wait until 2025 to see if an opportunity comes along.