Patriots icon reacts to surprising Bill Belichick developments

Former New England Patriots safety and current football analyst Devin McCourty is among members of the NFL community surprised that the Atlanta Falcons seemingly are the only team to yet show serious interest in hiring former New England head coach Bill Belichick this offseason. 

"I was kind of shocked that it was only one team that’s interested," McCourty said about Belichick during an appearance on WEEI's "The Greg Hill Show," per Greg Dudek of NESN. "I think when you step back, teams are probably looking for younger coaches, it feels like. But I just thought the opportunity to have a guy like coach Belichick, greatest of all-time." 

While it continues to be suggested a team in need of a coach could soon reach out to Belichick, the 71-year-old thus far has only interviewed with the Falcons and apparently is not a lock to earn that gig. 

As recently as Wednesday, NFL and Patriots insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated mentioned that individuals within Atlanta's front office and other organizations may not be eager to hand the figurative keys to the kingdom over to the six-time Super Bowl champion head coach who previously ran the show in New England but has lost more than he's won since Tom Brady left that club after the 2019 season.  

Meanwhile, McCourty noted that Belichick’s age may be causing owners and general managers to think twice about meeting with the living legend. 

"I think the NFL is a copycat league, not just week-to-week ... but even coaching," McCourty added, as shared by Lauren Campbell of NESN. "Sean McVay (38 years old) gets his job. He goes and wins. Kyle Shanahan (44 years old) goes and wins. So people are like, 'That’s the new thing.'"

After Patriots owner Robert Kraft and Belichick "mutually" agreed to part ways earlier this month, Kraft quickly made linebackers coach Jerod Mayo the youngest head coach in the NFL. 

As for Belichick, it's unclear when or if he'll hear from a club in need of a head coach this winter if the Falcons ultimately go in a different direction.