For the first time since 1974, the NFL season is about to get underway and legendary coach Bill Belichick won’t be on the sidelines.
Belichick and the New England Patriots mutually agreed to part ways in January, and while the Atlanta Falcons interviewed him multiple times for their head coach opening, the team ultimately decided to hire Raheem Morris instead. Did Patriots owner Robert Kraft influence their decision by ripping Belichick to Falcons owner Arthur Blank, as has been reported? Perhaps; we’ll never know for certain.
Regardless, Belichick is currently a coaching free agent. Let’s examine why he isn’t coaching this season and what he’ll be doing instead to stay busy in 2024.
Why Isn’t Bill Belichick Coaching This Season?
While Belichick didn’t get a head coaching gig during this offseason’s hiring cycle, we know that he was offered a job by at least one NFL team.
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan recently revealed that he contacted Belichick and told him he could pick any role he wanted on the 49ers’ coaching staff. However, the 72-year-old politely declined.
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“I threw it out to him. … I can’t believe he’s not a head coach of a team right now,” Shanahan said recently. “I know what I would do if I was an owner so that shocks me, and the last thing you want to do is insult someone like Bill Belichick.
“But I know he just loves ball in its simplest form, so I threw it all out to him, whatever he wanted to do [including defensive coordinator]. I was like, ‘Would you be interested?’ And he was very nice and appreciative and he politely turned me down. I’m sure he’s going to be back in the league next year. … He’s the best, and I just like talking to him.”
Belichick wasn’t interested in an assistant role, but he’s expected to pursue head coaching opportunities next offseason. But since Belichick is currently a coaching free agent, how will he fill his time during the 2024 season?
Belichick’s Plans for the 2024 NFL Season
While it’s strange that training camps are underway and Belichick isn’t coaching, he is staying busy with several media gigs.
During the 2024 NFL Draft, he was a correspondent for “The Pat McAfee Show’s NFL Draft Spectacular” on ESPN, which earned rave reviews. Belichick is also expected to appear as a weekly guest on McAfee’s show during the NFL season.
The McAfee Show was an ideal fit for Belichick because his authoritative voice stood out and he could go long.
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) April 26, 2024
He also got to show a different side of himself during Netflix’s Roast of Tom Brady, cracking jokes about Rob Gronkowski and his other former players. Belichick was one of the roasters who stole the show.
Once the NFL regular season starts, Belichick will have several broadcasting gigs. He has agreed to a recurring role on ESPN’s “ManningCast” alongside Peyton Manning and Eli Manning, so he’ll provide insight during Monday Night Football.
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Also, Belichick recently announced a show of his own with Underdog Fantasy. “Coach With Bill Belichick” will air on Underdog Fantasy’s YouTube channel throughout the NFL season, and it will feature Belichick breaking down film and showing fans what it’s like to coach an NFL team.
“This show is going to give fans a comprehensive look at the behind-the-scenes of the National Football League: what it’s like to coach, how to prepare, how to team build, exactly the way I would do it if I was coaching a team,” Belichick said in a statement. “I partnered with Underdog because it’s a sports company run by sports people, and they want sports to connect to the fans, and that’s what I want to do.
“We want to find a connection where we are giving the fans what they’ve asked me for – perspective on decision-making that goes on within an organization and a breakdown of schematics and personnel within the game. Underdog wants to do that, so it’s a great marriage and a great fit.”
In addition to his broadcasting opportunities, Belichick has a book deal lined up that will pay him “well into the seven figures,” according to The Athletic.
While Belichick would likely prefer to be chasing Don Shula to become the winningest head coach in NFL history, he has some excellent gigs on the horizon that will keep him front and center until the offseason, when he’s expected to resume his coaching career.