Former Patriots star echoes Bill Belichick, Cowboys theory

Former New England Patriots quarterback and current radio host Scott Zolak raised eyebrows in December when he linked New England head coach Bill Belichick with the Dallas Cowboys. 

Retired New England star wide receiver and Super Bowl LIII Most Valuable Player Julian Edelman echoed Zolak's take during a Friday appearance on "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" program. 

"What if (Dallas head coach) Mike McCarthy gets knocked out of the playoffs early? Bill over there with that top 10 offensive line and talent ... they'd at least be fundamentally sound," Edelman said about Belichick possibly joining the Cowboys this offseason, as shared by Richie Whitt of Fan Nation's Cowboys Country. 

McCarthy's 11-5 Cowboys head into Sunday's Week 18 game at the 4-12 Washington Commanders knowing that a win will clinch "America's Team" the NFC East title even if the 11-5 Philadelphia Eagles beat the 5-11 New York Giants due to a tiebreaker advantage held by Dallas. McCarthy thus far has gone just 1-2 in postseason play with Dallas, though, and another disappointing January run could cause Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones to consider making a move for a big name such as Belichick.

Belichick's status beyond New England's season finale versus the New York Jets this Sunday remains unknown. The 71-year-old is expected to meet with Patriots owner Robert Kraft and team president Jonathan Kraft this Monday. It was reported on Friday that the Krafts could take at least "several weeks" to announce a final decision about Belichick's future. 

While some with ties to the Patriots believe Belichick and the Krafts should embrace a "mutual parting of the ways," the six-time Super Bowl champion head coach is reportedly under contract through the 2024 season. Ben Volin of The Boston Globe wrote in a piece published Friday that Belichick "wants to remain with the Patriots," but Belichick could view the Cowboys as an ideal landing spot due to their championship-caliber roster should he and the Krafts come to terms on a divorce.