Reporter explains if Commanders could consider hiring Bill Belichick

It appears the Washington Commanders will allow former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick to remain a free agent this offseason. 

NFC East reporter Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports explained on Wednesday afternoon that "there have been no indications at all that new Commanders owner Josh Harris and his search committee, which obviously includes new general manager Adam Peters, intends to turn" to Belichick even though the six-time Super Bowl champion head coach seemingly would discuss the club's vacancy. 

"They have concerns about everything from Belichick's age (71) to his willingness to work under a GM who will have control over personnel, to whether he'd even want to take on what could be a years-long rebuilding job," Vacchiano added about what he heard from multiple Washington team sources.

Vacchiano offered his update after Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported earlier this week that Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank hired Raheem Morris over Belichick because of questions related to how long Belichick wants to continue coaching combined with concerns over front-office changes Belichick may or may not have wanted to make within the organization. 

While no team other than the Falcons met with Belichick before the final day of January concluded, it's thought that the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles haven't closed the door on handing the living legend the keys to the kingdom in 2025. 

Belichick indicated after Week 18 that he would work with an executive given power by team ownership to have the final say regarding draft and personnel decisions. 

Considering he is just 15 victories shy of setting a new NFL record for career wins accumulated by a head coach (regular season and postseason combined), he may not be as reluctant to accept a job from a so-called rebuilding franchise as Commanders sources believe. 

Former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady played under Belichick from 2000 through the 2019 season and said Tuesday he believes "the fire burns with" his former coach to be on the sidelines again as soon as this fall. 

Assuming Belichick would consider linking up with one of the other NFC East clubs next January, Harris may want to reconsider how he's handling an ongoing hiring process.