What Bill Belichick told Jimmy Johnson about coaching future

Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick recently spent time with Hall of Fame coach Jimmy Johnson discussing matters such as what Belichick may or may not be looking for from a club after every team with a head-coaching vacancy passed on hiring him this offseason. 

"...Some of these [NFL] owners are a little bit afraid of him," Johnson said about Belichick during an appearance on Miami sports radio station WQAM 560 AM, as shared by Garrett Podell of CBS Sports. "The general managers and the personnel people in the organizations are really afraid of him because they think if he comes in, they are going to lose their jobs. A lot of people working against him as far as getting a job. I was shocked that he didn't get some more opportunities. He'll get opportunities next year."

While Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank ultimately determined that former Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris was a better fit to be Atlanta's head coach instead of Belichick, individuals throughout the NFL community have suggested that the 71-year-old wanted a little more power regarding certain decisions than Blank was willing to relinquish. 

Some have even said Belichick rejected the Falcons because Blank may have attached "some caveats" to his offer, a claim Blank has since denied. 

It was reported ahead of Super Bowl LVIII that "multiple owners reached out to Belichick about next year’s hiring cycle" after Blank chose Morris. 

Belichick is 15 wins away from setting an NFL record for career victories earned by a head coach (regular season and postseason combined) and is expected to meet with clubs next offseason. 

"Bill is upfront about it," Johnson added during the interview. "He said, 'Hey, I don't have to be in charge of everything.' That's what happened up in New England. He kind of fell into that deal, and it's not necessarily that he pushed for it. That's what happened because he was there for so long. He is more than willing to give up the decision-making to the general manager and the personnel people."

Belichick did hint after Week 18 that he would've given up some power to stay in New England through this offseason, but Patriots owner Robert Kraft later said such an arrangement "wouldn't work" for the franchise. 

It's unclear if Belichick will simply take next season off or spend portions of the campaign working as an on-air personality for one of the NFL's media partners.