In between being the leading candidate for the Atlanta Falcons and landing a speaking gig at Nebraska University , Bill Belichick could have taken a job in the NFL after all.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle , the 49ers recently called the former New England Patriots' legendary coach to see if he would be interested in becoming their defensive coordinator. Whether 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan offered the job or whether Belichick was genuinely interested remains unclear, but San Francisco ultimately promoted Nick Sorenson to help replace the fired Steve Wilks.
In the wake of their Super Bowl LVIII overtime loss to Kansas City, the 49ers also reportedly contacted Chiefs' defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo for their job. His contract was extended by K.C. the day of their parade.
While Belichick prepares for his one-weekend April gig with the Cornhuskers and a year without an NFL job for the first time since 1974, it's not the first time the 49ers have sought a Pats' icon.
San Francisco reportedly reached out to Tom Brady during the 2023 offseason about possibly playing for them in the uncertainty of Brock Purdy’s torn elbow ligaments.
“I was serious about it,” Shanahan told NBC's Peter King. “As we talked, I’m looking at Brock, and he’s got his arm in a sling, and I really am not sure I’ve got a quarterback who’s going to be ready for the start of the 2023 season. That started all of this.”
Brady turned down the opportunity, electing to remain retired and take a year off before stepping into his new career as Fox's No. 1 analyst. Belichick, too, might very well wind up doing TV this season, even with the likes of Peyton Manning.
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