The NFL’s coaching carousel is spinning slowly on Black Monday. Part of the hold up may be the team that got it whirring to life in the first place.
The Atlanta Falcons wasted no time when it came to firing three-year head coach Arthur Smith. Reports of his dismissal broke at 12:01 a.m. ET, kicking off Black Monday with a bang. And while Ron Rivera’s expected firing by the Washington Commanders eventually followed, the first day of the offseason for 18 teams actually began more quietly than expected.
This may be due to some moving pieces. And it may involve the Falcons’ interest in the man behind the most heartbreaking night in franchise history.
Bill Belichick is still the head coach in New England but the Atlanta Falcons are a team to watch if Belichick is available. They are interested, per sources.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 8, 2024
Atlanta is reportedly interested in hiring Bill Belichick as its next head coach. This would be a difficult sell beyond employing the man who hoisted the Lombardi Trophy after Atlanta biffed a 25-point lead in Super Bowl 51. Belichick is still under contract with the New England Patriots. On Monday, he told the press he was amenable to giving up some of his control as general manager in order to help the franchise recover from a 4-13 season.
Any move to bring Belichick aboard would require a trade, and the Patriots would likely be looking at significant draft assets in exchange for the right to hire a first-ballot Hall of Fame head coach. So while the world waited to see what might happen, fans and analysts killed some time by making jokes about it.
Somewhere lost in a sea of tired “28-3” references was some actual insight. Scroll down for a sampling.
So long as he’s still cheating whenever possible I’m in https://t.co/rRHaJYwahP
— Steven Godfrey (@38Godfrey) January 8, 2024
You were supposed to destroy the Sith, not join them! https://t.co/Tw6umkAAHQ
— Locked On Falcons (@lockedonfalcons) January 8, 2024
this is just wrong off principle https://t.co/0fM9sn890m
— charles (“you look good” – andy reid) mcdonald (@FourVerts) January 8, 2024
Bill Belichick in ATL would be so funny https://t.co/ZFH1oJR0p6
— JP Acosta (@acosta32_jp) January 8, 2024
nobody reflects the vibrant and diverse culture of atlanta quite like the bright and sunny disposition of bill belichick
— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) January 8, 2024
Well this would be a bit awkward pic.twitter.com/vicIHlYHV0
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) January 8, 2024
Reports are the Falcons may offer Belichick a $28M contract over 3 years. https://t.co/9RIAHN8Oq3
— Jon Tweets Sports (@jontweetssports) January 8, 2024
Bill Belichick coaching the Falcons pic.twitter.com/2e4mmnsW4U
— Wes (@NujabWes) January 8, 2024
This head coach search is going to suck the life right out of me isn't it https://t.co/jSbeCc4a27
— Jeanna Kelley (@jeannathomas) January 8, 2024
I do not want the Falcons to hire Bill Belichick because I think it would produce a lot of wins. I want the Falcons to hire Bill Belichick because he’s very funny
— Jason Kirk (buy my novel) (@JasonKirk_fyi) January 7, 2024
Belichick getting Atlanta-pilled is too funny an idea to not do. The Falcons getting Belichick-pilled sounds pretty grim though. https://t.co/84djzXTLFB
— Frank Bello (porquesoybello at the other place) (@porquesoybello) January 8, 2024
If we lose Ryan Nielsen after finally getting a good defense because we fired Arthur Smith because the Desmond Ridder thing didn’t work out and replace him with Bill Belichick.
So help me Freddie Falcon https://t.co/HwMCSSID4z
— Cory Woodroof (@CoryWoodroof47) January 6, 2024
Bill Belichick as the Falcons head coach https://t.co/zeTPBSF1CE pic.twitter.com/Ati1jJJzDn
— Mordecai The Awesome Blue Jay (@ATLBlueJay) January 8, 2024
This is hilarious because knowing the Falcons, if they hired Belichick he would 100% be the worst coach we’ve ever had. pic.twitter.com/y72cgFivxx
— jxke, esq. 🧸 (@cantguardjake) January 6, 2024
*a year from now when the 7-9 Falcons lose on the road at Tampa Bay to miss the playoffs with Bill Belichick and Russell Wilson* pic.twitter.com/hHHNZX4oJx
— Cory Woodroof (@CoryWoodroof47) January 7, 2024
