Report: Multiple NFL teams still expected to have interest in Bill Belichick this coaching cycle

It’s been wondered if Bill Belichick would have a short tenure at North Carolina in order to eventually to return to the NFL, but that has since having been discussed less amidst a 4-7 record with the Tar Heels. But, according to reporting this morning, there could still be some interest in him returning to the National Football League.

Per sources speaking to Josina Anderson, at least two, or even as many as three, teams in the league would be interested in speaking with Belichick. There could be more complications to that as far as him being an actual candidate anywhere, but it’s of note with two openings already in the NFL.

“NEW: I’m told “at least two NFL teams” are still* expected to have interest in talking to Bill Belichick, behind-the-scenes* at the very least, about head coach jobs this carousel season, per a league source. A third team could also enter the mix, with desires to talk, particularly if one specific personnel change is made under ownership, the source added,” Anderson tweeted this morning. “Side note: There’s more to the story of why Belichick did not end up head coaching another NFL team a couple seasons ago–with his own desires & preferences regarding workplace dynamics playing more into a part of it, than I think has been discussed, publicly known, or given real credence. At any rate, Belichick still has deep respect from a number of owners across the league, and that is what matters.”

Again, this has been a thought since Belichick became a candidate and eventually took the job in Chapel Hill. It was always a question of if there at the college level is where he would continue coaching until another opportunity came to him from the pros, especially as it wasn’t expected to be a very lengthy tenure for him regardless at UNC. He has, as recently as within those last two weeks, denied these rumors again, but it’s just something that’ll obviously continue to come up with the all-time resumé at that level had by Belichick, with a record of 302-165 (.647) with Cleveland and New England and having made nine appearances, six of those being victories, in the Super Bowl while with the Patriots.

That said, there aren’t yet many options open for any candidates, let alone Belichick, in the NFL. More could open over the final six weeks of the regular season, but the only vacancies right now are for the Tennessee Titans (1-10) and the New York Giants (2-10).

Belichick also has his own season to finish in what’s his debut in college football with North Carolina. The Tar Heels have disappointed this season at 4-7 (.364), which’d be, with a game left to play at NC State on Saturday, the program’s worst finish since winning just two games in 2018 in their final year under Larry Fedora.

Belichick may very well still be a notable enough candidate for some franchise with an opening, whether now or to come later by this season’s end, to consider as a head coach again in the NFL. We’ll have to see how reporting like this regarding him continues to trend, though, from now through Week 18 into January.