The Patriots could feel the impact of Bill Belichick not joining the Falcons.
Bill Belichick is a future Hall of Famer, currently the winningest coach in NFL history and the first coach hired in 25 years. However, it is increasingly likely that he will not take over as head coach in 2024.The Atlanta Falcons, the only team interviewed after parting ways with the New England Patriots, have decided to go in a different direction as their head coach.
With Raheem Morris taking that job and Belichick out of touch with the remaining vacancies — the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders — it looks like the note will soon be on the 72-year-old’s wall.Belichick going through next season without a coach would be a big deal for both the league and his former club. There are four main areas that could affect the Patriots.
No. 1: Steve and Brian BelichickNew Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo confirmed the team has extended offers to Belichick’s two sons to remain with the organization. Since it looks like the old Belichick won’t be the head coach until 2024, he could take that opportunity and stick around for next season.That would be good news for New England, as Steve Belichick and Brian Belichick have been instrumental in the team’s defensive success in recent seasons. Steve joined his father’s staff in 2012 and moved up the organizational ladder the following year. Although he is still only listed as position coach, he has effectively run the show on the left side of the ball with Mayo in recent seasons. The two have developed a productive relationship that could continue to benefit the new manager until 2024.Brian has been with the team since 2016. He was named safeties coach in 2020 and has held that position ever since, helping develop one of the strongest groups on the roster each year.It is not yet known what roles the pair will play at Mayo, but their knowledge of the system and proven track record speaks for itself. If the Patriots keep Belichick’s sons, it would be a win-win. Their chances of winning were even greater because their father had not joined the Falcons.
No. 2: Other Patriots players and coachesSteve Belichick and Brian Belichick are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to possible departures from New England. If Belichick were the next head coach of the Falcons or any other team, players and coaches would be wary.Of course, that doesn’t mean there won’t be changes to staff or schedules. As for the competitiveness of other teams, the Belichick factor may no longer be involved.
No. 3: Look for offensive coordinatorWhile the first two items listed above are both positives from the Patriots’ perspective, #3 may not be. Replacing Belichick as the Falcons’ head coach with Raheem Morris means the makeup of New England’s personal coaching staff may also change.After all, Morris has worked with two of Jerrod Mayo’s four offensive coordinators, Zack Robinson and Nick Kaley, both of whom are members of the Los Angeles Rams in 2023. With Morris serving as defensive coordinator, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him acknowledge the familiarity and add an assistant coach or two to Atlanta’s new staff.As a result, the Patriots could see all four OC candidates they interviewed join other teams. In addition to Robinson and Caley, we also looked at Dan Pitcher and Shane Waldron, who agreed to positions with the Cincinnati Bengals and Chicago Bears, respectively.
No. 4: Josh McDanielsIf the Patriots miss out on all of their reported offensive coordinator targets, Josh McDaniels could be a name to watch. The former New England OC and quarterbacks coach, who was fired as the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders last October, is said to be a candidate to join Belichick in Atlanta or wherever he goes.But now the picture seems to have changed. As a result, a return to New England could once again become more likely.McDaniels is different from the four offensive coordinator candidates listed above. While he has spent nearly his entire coaching career running the Patriots’ modified Ehrhardt-Perkins scheme, he has no experience with the Shanahan system that employed Robinson, Caley, Pitcher and Waldron. A long time ago. Of course, he had great success in New England, including the team’s final playoff season in 2021, and that’s what the club’s new head coach lacks, at least in his position: experience.
McDaniels has a lot to offer as an OC, allowing him to lead the Patriots offense with the second-most autonomy in the franchise. This frees up Bill Belichick to focus on other areas.There are pros and cons to rehiring Josh McDaniels at any position. For now, let’s focus on one simple fact. Belichick’s absence as the Falcons’ head coach means one of the most experienced offensive coordinators in the league will be available for now.On a side note, the Falcons moving on to Raheem Morris means Mike Vrabel may not be an NFL head coach in 2024. The Patriots and Vrabel share a strong bond, and perhaps a return to his former club as a consultant could be an option.
