Bill Belichick was the hottest free agent in the market — the media market, that is. But his plans in the media are finally coming to light just a few days before the 2024 NFL Draft.
The six-time Super Bowl winning coach was unable to secure a head coaching gig in the NFL for the upcoming season, and reports have surfaced over the past several months that Belichick was being chased by several networks like ESPN and NBC for him to come in as an analyst.
Related: Dan Le Batard has interesting takeaway from Pat McAfee securing Bill Belichick
Last week, Pat McAfee announced that Belichick would be joining him on "The Pat McAfee Show" for special coverage of the NFL Draft on April 25. McAfee has also expressed that he would like to have Belichick on his show every week — similar to how he's had big names like Aaron Rodgers become a weekly guest.
More information on the coach's media future was revealed as The Athletic reported on April 24 that the former New England Patriots coach is set to join the show featuring some of Tom Brady's biggest foils.
Belichick on the 'Manningcast'
Belichick is reportedly going to be a frequent guest on ESPN's "Manningcast" which is the alternative broadcast of "Monday Night Football" hosted by Peyton and Eli Manning.
But the two Super Bowl winning quarterbacks are not employed by ESPN, and instead with the production company founded by Peyton, Omaha Productions. That production arm has worked heavily with ESPN, but it's been reported by ESPN that Belichick's deal is would likely be with directly with Omaha.
Additionally, the Athletic report also states that Belichick could be in line to be included in a football show under Omaha, along with a podcast and even a book.
Related: Bill Belichick exploring media options with Peyton Manning, ESPN
Previous reports have stated that Belichick did not want to be part of a studio show, which now makes more sense given the number of things it seems that Belichick may be doing.
There is still the possibility that Belichick returns to coaching in the future, especially as the 72-year-old is just 14 wins shy of tying Don Shula for the most wins by a head coach in NFL history.
Coaches on broadcast teams
It's not uncommon for a coach to enter media and then return to the sidelines, and ESPN is all too familiar with this case considering one of the most prominent examples happened earlier this year, but in the NBA.
Doc Rivers was hired by ESPN to its lead broadcasting team which calls the NBA Finals, but he left after less than four months as he was offered to coach the Milwaukee Bucks.
Rivers' replacement on the broadcast team was JJ Redick, who, according to a report by multiple sources on April 23, is a top candidate for the head coaching position with the Charlotte Hornets for next season.
