NFL reporter links Patriots' Bill Belichick with Bears

NFL reporter Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post suggested for a piece published Thursday afternoon that New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick could make his way to the Chicago Bears this coming offseason. 

"The Bears could hold the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft plus another top-10 pick and whatever picks come in return for trading (quarterback) Justin Fields, so Belichick can land the quarterback he now knows he needs to win and quickly put complementary pieces around him," Dunleavy explained. "As one of the biggest NFL historians in coaching, the Bears' tradition of great defenses, 102 years of stable family ownership and holding the same job that George Halas once defined all should appeal to Belichick."

The Bears enter Week 16 at 5-9 for the season, and it's believed team president and CEO Kevin Warren could move on from head coach Matt Eberflus, general manager Ryan Poles and Fields as part of an organizational reset. Eberflus thus far has gone 8-23 with the Bears, while Fields hasn't yet proven he can become a top-tier NFL passer. 

Chicago is on track to hold the No. 1 pick in next year's draft via the trade completed with the Carolina Panthers this past offseason. 

Most recently, Belichick has been linked with the Los Angeles Chargers, Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders, among other teams. Ben Volin of the Boston Globe revealed that Belichick is under contract through the 2024 season "for at least $25M," but Patriots owner Robert Kraft could try to trade the six-time Super Bowl champion head coach this winter. 

"Chargers owner Dean Spanos is notoriously reluctant to spend on coaches, and the Commanders offer a barren roster and a potentially impatient new owner in Josh Harris," Dunleavy added.

Meanwhile, logic suggests Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones will hold onto head coach Mike McCarthy if McCarthy takes Dallas to the NFC Championship Game or further during the upcoming postseason tournament. 

Belichick reportedly wants to stay in New England through at least the 2024 campaign, but he and Kraft may ultimately agree it's best for everyone involved if they part ways sooner rather than later. Such an agreement would allow Kraft to officially begin a coaching search before coveted candidates accept other positions, and it would gift Belichick with an early start at his new club.