Dallas crashing out of the first round of the playoffs in a lopsided loss at home to Green Bay on Sunday night stoked the embers on rumors that Bill Belichick could patrol the Cowboys' sideline in 2024.
Cowboys fans hoping that the six-time Super Bowl champion head coach will supplant Mike McCarthy might want to tap the brakes on any heightened expectations.
BetMGM released odds Monday on where Belichick will be coaching in Week 1 of the 2024 season, and Dallas was not among the eight teams being offered.
The list is led by a team that might surprise many.
The Atlanta Falcons fired Arthur Smith shortly after completing their third consecutive 7-10 season last week. They also have significant quarterback questions after Desmond Ridder twice failed to secure his spot as the Falcons' signal-caller of the future.
That would appear to be a big detraction for Belichick, who has watched New England's offense nosedive since the departure of Tom Brady. That included waffling between Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe this season.
However, the Falcons do have several intriguing young skill-position players and a solid defense. Atlanta is also in an NFC South division that lacks an intimidating force, and the ability to take the reins of a team primed to be a divisional contender could pique the interest of the 71-year-old Belichick.
BILL BELICHICK NEXT TEAM ODDS
Atlanta Falcons (+200)
Los Angeles Chargers (+400)
Washington Commanders (+600)
Tennessee Titans (+800)
Carolina Panthers (+1800)
New York Giants (+2500)
New Orleans Saints (+3000)
New York Jets (+5000)
No Team/Not Coaching (+125)
Any Other NFL Team (+900)
The Chargers boast exactly what the Falcons lack -- a franchise quarterback in Justin Herbert. However, they're also coming off a last-place finish in a division dominated by Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Is Los Angeles a desirable location for Belichick? In addition to playing second fiddle in their own stadium, the Chargers have significant salary cap issues to tackle this offseason.
Washington is another intriguing possibility as it would allow Belichick to remain on the East Coast. A big question could be what Belichick sees in second-year quarterback Sam Howell and a defense that traded two of its best players midseason.
Of note is that BetMGM's list includes three teams that currently have head coaches in the Giants (Brian Daboll), Saints (Dennis Allen) and Jets (Robert Saleh). The Jets have said that Saleh will return next season, but would that change if landing Belichick is in play?
The market does not include specific odds on the Cowboys, who are lumped in the "any other NFL team" category at +900.
"I don't have any thoughts about the reasons why, or anything to do with the coaching, or the players," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones told reporters after Sunday's game.
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