Falcons, Bill Belichick rumored to have 'mutual interest'

Once the job was officially open, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported that Atlanta did have interest.

Multiple insiders, including our own Chase Irle, confirmed Russini’s report that the Falcons were seriously interested in Bill Belichick. One NFL executive even went as far as to say they should be considered the favorites to land him.

“Belichick to Dallas is my sleeper,” another exec said, “but I’d make Atlanta the odds-on favorite for Bill, and the Chargers the odds-on favorite for Harbaugh.”

Earler in the week, we also learned that it’s not just a one-sided interest and that the fit makes sense from Belichick’s perspective as well.

“I’ve also been told people close to Belichick believe it would be a good fit for him. It’s a strong roster that, yes, needs to figure out the quarterback position. It’s in a relatively calm market where he could be all about the football. And he’d have a team owner who doesn’t meddle in day-to-day affairs,” ESPN’s Dan Graziano said.

Well, we have even more information now. On Saturday morning, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Belichick and the Falcons are believed to have “mutual interest” in a relationship:

“I was told to focus on talented, yet underachieving teams because that’s really his wheelhouse. So, Atlanta comes to mind, they’re probably a quarterback away. There’s a belief leaguewide that there’s some interest, potentially some mutual interest. The Chargers come to mind in that regard. There’s also not a clear-cut fit right now. There’s several teams in the league that are either looking to go with a younger coach or are just looking for a new outlook. Washington is probably out. Tennessee probably out. Seattle probably out. There aren’t a lot of options right now; could be some surprises depending on what happens in the playoffs if another job opens that’s a little more high profile, Belichick could look into that. One thing is clear though, he does want to continue coaching.”

If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck. The Falcons have been linked to Bill Belichick since even before he and the Patriots parted ways. There’s only going to be more speculation as the offseason progresses, but it seems clear the GOAT is Arthur Blank’s top target.