New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft (left) and Patriots former head coach Bill Belichick (right) Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Bill Belichick’s top suitor holding ‘wide open’ head coach search

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Steve DelVecchio | Last updated 1/21/24

Bill Belichick appears to have only one real suitor if he wants to coach in the NFL next season, and it sounds like that team intends to conduct a thorough search.

Belichick has had two interviews with the Atlanta Falcons. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Falcons interviewed Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik for their head coach job on Sunday. They are also planning to meet with Jim Harbaugh and Mike Vrabel as part of a search that Schefter said is “wide open.”

Falcons are interviewing Texans’ OC Bobby Slowik today. They also will be meeting this week with Mike Vrabel and Jim Harbaugh in person, and scheduling other in-person head-coaching interviews as well. Their HC search is said to be “wide open.”

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 21, 2024

A report earlier this week claimed Falcons owner Arthur Blank “desperately” wants to hire Belichick. The fact that Atlanta has already met with Belichick twice lends credence to that. It is possible that the 71-year-old Belichick is not sold on the Falcons rather than the other way around.

Belichick seems to have some legitimate competition if he wants the Falcons job. Some have wondered if he might take a year off in 2024 and look to coach again in 2025, though his age could make that a challenge.

Belichick is just 15 wins shy of breaking Don Shula’s record of 347 combined regular-season and playoff victories for an NFL coach. That is one reason there has been very little talk about him retiring, but he still needs a job offer in order to keep going.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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