Three potential landing spots for Patriots HC Bill Belichick

With two wins in 2023 and not much hope for a third, head coach Bill Belichick’s recent contract extension is beginning to look more like a golden parachute than something that will keep him in New England.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Belichick’s extension only runs through 2024, meaning there’s not much preventing the team from releasing their longtime coach. If they do, these NFL teams could have interest.

Washington Commanders  

It’s almost too perfect. The Commanders are a team in transition with new owner Joshua Harris and a promising young quarterback in Sam Howell. The team also projects to have the most cap space in 2024 with $87.4M available.

Current coach Ron Rivera is a popular NFL figure, but he’s yet to post a winning season in Washington with an overall record of 26-33-1. While this year’s Patriots team seems destined to finish last in the AFC East, it’s impossible to argue with Belichick’s 264-116 record in New England.

Belichick grew up thirty minutes from FedEx Field in Annapolis, Maryland, where his father was an assistant football coach at the United States Naval Academy. Maybe “The Hoodie” has a sentimental side.

From the Commanders’ perspective, JP Finlay of NBC Sports reports there’s been no talk of Belichick within the franchise. But with so much football left to play, Washington would do their fans a disservice by ignoring the possibility of bringing in Belichick.

Los Angeles Chargers

For all of the Chargers offensive talent, the team’s 20-23 record under head coach Brandon Staley is almost incomprehensible. L.A. hasn’t won a playoff game since 2018 and with a 4-5 record, they could do worse than a coach with six Super Bowl rings.

Belichick has no ties to the area, but after struggling to get the Patriots’ Mac Jones up to speed, working with a young quarterback like Justin Herbert could be just what the 71-year-old coach needs. 

With general manager Tom Telesco likely on the hot seat with Staley, the Chargers could be in a position to offer Belichick the control he would need to take another job. 

New York Jets

How’s that for a wild card? Team owner Woody Johnson tried to make a splash in the offseason by trading for quarterback Aaron Rodgers. If the team continues their losing ways, why not double down by adding a rival coach in 2024?