Bill Belichick coaching anywhere other than New England would have seemed impossible several years ago. The legendary coach has won six Super Bowls with the Patriots (2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016, 2018), but all things come to an end someday, right?
The indication appears that Belichick and the Patriots are barreling toward a divorce. So, what does that mean for the legendary coach? He might choose where to go for the first time in a long time.
Here are five potential destinations for Bill Belichick if he and the Patriots do, in fact, divorce this offseason.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders dumped Josh McDaniels earlier this season and will seek a new head coach. So, since they’ll have an opening, it only makes sense that Belichick could be a candidate there. We’d say that Tom Brady could be a factor, but his push for minority ownership has hit some bumps in the road. Nevertheless, Belichick could give the Raiders relevancy and an identity as they try to escape the muck they’ve put themselves in.
Los Angeles Chargers
The LA Chargers will be an attractive destination for many coaches if it opens up. Many have called for head coach Brandon Staley to lose his job, cries that have been let out for the past few years. Presuming LA moves on from Staley, it becomes a fascinating situation. The team has skilled players on offense and requires some work on defense. Belichick, known for his prowess on the defensive side of the ball, might be a smart choice for the job. The Chargers have their long-term quarterback in Justin Herbert, so that on its own makes it viable.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Would Bill Belichick pull a Tom Brady and migrate down to Tampa Bay? Well, that depends on if the Buccaneers moved on from their head coach situation also. Todd Bowles and the Bucs are in first place in the NFC South, but at just 6-7, they could go from division leader to completely out of the equation in a snap. Bucs ownership has proven before that if they want to go get somebody, they will. They’ve gotten Bruce Arians and even went wheel-and-deal with Jon Gruden two decades ago. From that perspective, don’t rule it out.
Television
TV is always an opening for ex-coaches, and Bill Belichick fits that mold. While Belichick isn’t the most bubbly personality, his coaching prowess would make him about as legitimate a source as you can get on TV. People would have no problem buying into what Belichick could and would say on broadcast television. It’s really a matter of which network would pony up for him.
Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit speculate on the future of Bill Belichick.
"How about this? If he goes (the TV analyst route), they put him in the booth with Kevin Burkhardt and Tom Brady next year on Fox… Or he goes on tour with Jon Bon Jovi."- Al Michaels 🏈📺🎙️ #TNF pic.twitter.com/jLp4Jy5Xmq
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 8, 2023
Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders will almost certainly have a vacancy at head coach this offseason. The Commanders will most likely move on from Ron Rivera, opening the door for a new head coach to enter the franchise. As Josh Harris bought the team from the little-beloved Daniel Synder, Washington has undergone a transformation. If Harris and the brain trust want to tell their fans that things will be different, then going and getting Belichick might be the wisest move that the team could make.
Granted, all of this hinges on one thing: The Patriots letting Belichick go. By all accounts, nothing is confirmed, but smoke is starting to bellow. And well, where there’s smoke…
