Bill Belichick, Atlanta Falcons, where will he coach, New England Patriots, reaction

Former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick is all but certain to become the next coach of the Atlanta Falcons according to American bookmaker DraftKings, who have offered rock bottom odds of $1.25.

The Falcons and Belichick will have a second interview this weekend after the legendary coach met with team owner Arthur Blank on Monday night, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reported.

“Things are ramping up with the greatest coach of all time…” Rapoport wrote on X.

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Falcons GM Terry Fontenot and CEO Rich McKay are expected to be a part of the second meeting.

Belichick and the Patriots parted ways last week after a disastrous 4-13 season put a sour ending on a 24-year run that included six Super Bowl victories.

New England moved quickly to promote linebackers coach Jerod Mayo to replace Belichick.

It never appeared that Belichick, 71, would retire, and he is moving almost as quickly as the Patriots did with his next steps.

Belichick has not interviewed with any other teams thus far.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Belichick was hoping to target “talented, yet underachieving teams”.

The Falcons certainly fit that bill.

Boasting a steady defence and offensive weapons such as running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts, the Falcons should have finished with a much better record in 2023 than 7-10.

Belichick is the first candidate known to receive a second interview.

Whomever takes over as head coach will first have to solve the quarterback question that derailed the team last season.

The Falcons rotated between second-year Desmond Ridder and veteran Taylor Heinicke but neither proved to be the answer.

The Falcons pick eighth overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, which is loaded with to-tier talent at quarterback.

If Atlanta were to hire Belichick, it would be an ironic twist of fate for the franchise.

In 2017, the Falcons famously led 28-3 over the Belichick-led Patriots in Super Bowl 51.

The Patriots would come back to win the game in overtime, delivering Belichick his fifth Super Bowl.

Since, the Falcons have won just one playoff game in the ensuing seven years.

The Commanders, Chargers and Cowboys — who decided to retain Mike McCarthy despite the team’s playoff flop — have all been considered possibilities.

“There are so many fond memories and thoughts that I think about the Patriots. I’ll always be a Patriot,” Belichick said in his final Patriots press conference.

“I look forward to coming back here. But at this time, we’re going to move on. I look forward and am excited for the future, but I’ll always be appreciative of the opportunity here, the support here, and of Robert and what you’ve done for me.”

The Falcons fired Arthur Smith hours after a 7-10 season ended with a 48-17 loss to the Saints.

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh is also among the list of candidates the Falcons have interviewed.

The Falcons have also interviewed Ravens defensive co-ordinator Mike Macdonald, Bengals offensive co-ordinator Biran Callahan, 49ers defensive co-ordinator Steve Wilks, Panthers defensive co-ordinator Ejiro Evero, Eagles offensive co-ordinator Brian Johnson and Ravens assistant Anthony Weaver.