I would be thrilled if the Bears could bring Belichick on as a D coordinator or consultant in any capacity. The way he prepares a defense for any given sunday is still pretty unparalleled. Too bad the Bears don't have unlimited funds to throw his way.
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HC Bill Belichick, (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter wiscstlatlmia
- Start date
FairWarning
Footballguy
They do, but at the expense of the future 6th generation.
I think you are right, I wonder, though, given his aversion to press conferences, if the football nerd in him would entertain just getting back to drawing up game plans as an Uber DC. It would take a perfect situation, with a very strong HC, but he could be an incredible asset to any team able to pull it off. If not this year, maybe in his late 70s he "retires" to a coordinator position.
Unless its day 3 OL, WR, or DBs.
JohnnyU
Footballguy
WRs?
Day 3 guys he's had some success. Douglas looks good, Berrios was an excellent KR and ok slot, and of course Edelman. Also, Malcolm Mitchell looked like a player before knee injuries ended his career. That's some solid finds for a 4th, two 6ths, and a 7th.
Just keep him out of the top 3 rounds, where they took: Tyquan Thornton, N'Keal Harry, Aaron Dobson, and Taylor Price. All of which looked like reaches at the time, especially Thornton.
Alex P Keaton
Footballguy
Really enjoy seeing him get locked out of the open HC roles. I know that’s petty and wrong — but I don’t care. It’s a genuine feeling.
TwinTurbo
Footballguy
It was enough for me that he turned back into a pumpkin after Brady left. I hope he gets another HC job. The Falcons or Panthers are interesting. That division seems wide open.
ChiefD
Footballguy
I'm telling you. This is a real possibility.
Belichick with this roster and Mahomes is another 2-3 rings. This move would not shock me.
-OZ-
Footballguy
Is it wrong to want to see him take the Washington gig and epically fail?
I don’t want him anywhere near Young.
JohnnyU
Footballguy
I thought he was supposed to be a football genius?
greenmountaingoat
Footballguy
Guy spent 25 years defying conventional wisdom and doing his own things to amazing success . Hard for a guy like that to accept that all of a sudden he’s now wrong about stuff. Evolve, he must accept. I think a year of humble pie and needing to build new relationships in the media would force him to rethink some things. TBD if he has it in him. My worst fear is that krafts are meddlers and we’re back to being semi permanent cellar dwellers.
Football Jones
Footballguy
Cowboys in ‘25 written all over it.
FarFromHome
Footballguy
Super interesting. Would explain why he has sat on the sidelines while all these jobs got filed. Gotta think he would absolutely e thrilled to finish his career with Mahomes.
Boston
Footballguy
That was all over radio yesterday.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
I know. It was all over radio and TV yesterday. I saw similar conjecture on podcasts, on YouTube, on X, etc. several days ago. Florio and someone else said that there is a team currently with a HC that is very interested in BB, and at the time it was thought to be a team still playing. Dallas was already out of it, and it didn’t seem to make any sense. The puzzle pieces seem to align that it fits a specific narrative (although I would think it’s probably a long shot).
Big Nate
Footballguy
I hope so for fantasy purposes. Any team that hires him as a coach and all the skill players (QB, RB and WRs) all take a hit. Only positions I might feel comfortable from his team would be TE and maybe the slot position.
The offensive part of the game has passed him by.
Big Nate
Footballguy
He can't draft a wide receiver for the life of him. He's done ok with small slot receivers and that is about it. He's ruined everything else he touches on O the last 3-4 years. I swear if Mac Jones can land in a good offense with a good O-coord he can be a solid starting QB in the league.
Alex P Keaton
Footballguy
This seems spot on. BB wants full control — and his results as a GM pretty clearly show that while he’s a great Xs and Os coach, at this stage he sucks as a GM.
Big Nate
Footballguy
It is an interesting study. He brought in some of the spread offense that the college system was using and it was very successful. He also was an innovator at the TE position, creating mismatches and showing off what elite TEs can do in the NFL. He was also very successful using the RB position both traditionally (pounding the ball) but also getting RBs in space and throwing them passes.
The trouble is the last 4-5 years he's really struggled and I think that is because Brady left. Brady would yell at McDaniels if he didn't like something. Brady was the OC in NE and Billy B lost touch of the offense. Brady made that offense and he often had below average receivers to work with. Brady really made chicken salad out of chicken ****.
The end of Billy's rein happened the year he went into the season without a true OC. How he figured he could develop a 2nd year QB in Mac Jones without an OC is mind boggling. Jones had a good rookie season throwing for nearly 4000 yards, 22TDs and only 13INTs. But he decided to not go with an OC the next year and didn't give Jones anything good to work with at WR. Billy B was carried by Brady at the end.
Big Nate
Footballguy
I can only imagine the power struggles in the NFL from Owner, to GM to HC. The truly great programs all work well together. The ones that have owners meddling in football operations, drafts, personnel etc. usually end up a disaster. Then the battle between GM and HC and who gets what say. Matt Waldman has had a good bit on his podcast before saying GMs draft a player and then the HC doesn't like it so they put that player in a position to fail just to say "see it was a bad pick".
On the flip side look at DET. They all seem to be on the same page. They drafted a guy like LaPorta and the coaches are right on board using him to his full potential.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
Don't really feel like debating the whole Bill vs. Brady thing all over again, but one of the ingredients for SB winners has been having a Top 5 or Top 10 defense. Of the 57 SB winners, 33 of the 57 (58%) had a Top 5 defense in terms of points allowed and 47 of 57 (82%) had a Top 10 defense in terms of points allowed. This year, if BAL (1 in fewest points allowed), KC (2), or SF (3) win the title, another team with a Top 5 defense will get added to the list.
There's no arguing that 1) Brady made a huge impact for years, 2) he saved the offense his last few years in NE, 3) that the Pats couldn't overcome not having him there since he left and the offense turned into a mess, 4) that Tom didn't play defense, and 5) that BB consistently produced top defensive units. In the 6 titles for NE, the defense ranked 7th, 1st, 8th, 2nd, 1st, and 6th in points allowed (the years the Giants won with BB as DC they ranked 1st and 2nd).
There have been plenty of teams that had HOF QBs and high scoring offenses. None of those teams won 6 titles. While the game is different know and the game has evolved, it still takes a team with a good defense to win. Granted, it also takes a good offense to win as well, but it's pretty rare for teams with great offenses and below average defenses to win (2011 NYG 25th in PA, 2009 NOS 20th in PA, 2006 IND 23rd in PA were the only ones ranked in the 20s).
I still think the mindset of having a very strong defense paired with an elite / HOF QB is a great strategy to win. The problem for BB and NE was that once TB12 left, they did not have a HOF QB to make that plan work. BB the GM hasn't been great for years, but IMO, if Bill coached BUF, KC, or DAL, then he could still win a lot of games.
There's no arguing that 1) Brady made a huge impact for years, 2) he saved the offense his last few years in NE, 3) that the Pats couldn't overcome not having him there since he left and the offense turned into a mess, 4) that Tom didn't play defense, and 5) that BB consistently produced top defensive units. In the 6 titles for NE, the defense ranked 7th, 1st, 8th, 2nd, 1st, and 6th in points allowed (the years the Giants won with BB as DC they ranked 1st and 2nd).
There have been plenty of teams that had HOF QBs and high scoring offenses. None of those teams won 6 titles. While the game is different know and the game has evolved, it still takes a team with a good defense to win. Granted, it also takes a good offense to win as well, but it's pretty rare for teams with great offenses and below average defenses to win (2011 NYG 25th in PA, 2009 NOS 20th in PA, 2006 IND 23rd in PA were the only ones ranked in the 20s).
I still think the mindset of having a very strong defense paired with an elite / HOF QB is a great strategy to win. The problem for BB and NE was that once TB12 left, they did not have a HOF QB to make that plan work. BB the GM hasn't been great for years, but IMO, if Bill coached BUF, KC, or DAL, then he could still win a lot of games.
JohnnyU
Footballguy
BB is a smart guy and should know this. From the words of Dirty Harry, “man's gotta know his limitations”.
Looks like we'll see Bill on a network pregame show next season.
"And a big welcome to the newest member of our crew Coach Bill!. Hello Coach and welcome aboard!"
"Thanks"
"What kind of insight can we look forward to from you this year Coach?"
"Football stuff"
"Coach,we know you're a man of few words but I know all our viewers are looking forward to your commentary this season"
"Yup"
"And a big welcome to the newest member of our crew Coach Bill!. Hello Coach and welcome aboard!"
"Thanks"
"What kind of insight can we look forward to from you this year Coach?"
"Football stuff"
"Coach,we know you're a man of few words but I know all our viewers are looking forward to your commentary this season"
"Yup"
Anarchy99
Footballguy
Not sure how many times I can say it. BB at a podium for a press conference is as interesting as a moldy ham sandwich. But BB at other times in front of a microphone is a must see / must listen experience. He's a walking encyclopedia on football and actually is funny and a great speaker and interview. If a network could figure out a way to tap into that, they would have hit gold. I doubt BB has any interest in broadcasting games, but as a guy in the studio doing breakdowns like Kenny Smith does for basketball, I think he would be great. He'd be able to highlight pre-snap reads, which guys were out of position, why plays worked or didn't, how alignments have changed over the years, etc. I think it would be fantastic if he ever did segments with TB12. That probably would never happen, but it would be great to observe.
Boston
Footballguy
Here is the idea I would pitch…BB is super-tight with Saban and Chris Berman…he would be beyond comfortable with those two…they combine both the college and NFL games and let debatable the two greatest coaches of all time go to town on x’s and o’s while Berman plays the middle guy, steers the ship and gets out of the way...would be pure football porn and for me and I’d love to see a show that combines both college and NFL at that level.
Big Nate
Footballguy
I agree and I still think BB creates and runs a top/elite defense. Your points are well stated, but from the offensive side of things (draft, scheme, coordinators, game plans, execution etc.) it has been horrendous. And from a fantasy football perspective (which is why we are here) it has been really bad. They got rid of their best receiver in Meyers (they didn't want to pay) and then bring in a busted up JuJu and pay him money?
The decisions on offense have been insanely bad.
Big Nate
Footballguy
It is true but I think sometimes it depends on the day - is he in a good mood or not or is he getting annoyed by the questions. That one time when he went on for 10 minutes on special teams (punters, long snappers) and the history of the game was amazing. He has so much knowledge but that doesn't mean the game in some aspects hasn't passed him by - especially the offense.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
Personnel guy Bill has been terrible in recent years, but decisions like Meyers or JJSS would not have made much difference this year. The offense was DOA. Meyers numbers this season weren't any better in LV than they were in NE, and he had the benefit of having Adams and playing indoors. Meyers averaged fewer receptions and fewer yds/gm in LV than he did the prior season in NE. IMO, even if they kept Meyers over JJSS, the offense would have been terrible. If Meyers is the guy any team would hang its hat on to save an offense, that offense is in trouble.
As for that decision, I would have not signed either Meyers or JuJu and instead ponied up the money or the trade capital to get a legit WR1. JuJu and Meyers are WR2 or WR3 options, and neither one is a guy that defensive coordinators would quake in their boots over.
The list of poor moves on offense is lengthy . . . whether it be poor picks (Wynn, Michel, Harry, Asiasi, Keene, Strong, Strange, Thornton) or signings/trades (Cam, Jonnu, Agholor, Parker, JuJu, the retread OL options, Montgomery, Sanu, etc.). Having a different OC and offensive philosophy in multiple seasons never works (McDaniels, Patricia, O'Brien). No doubt the offense went from bad to worse to wretched.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
I have heard Bill speak not after right after games on radio interviews, league functions, NFL Network shows, etc. Away from game day stuff, he is a completely different person. He isn't in a bad mood because he isn't dealing with reporters asking him the same question he won't ever answer 20 times in a row. I agree, he got pissy when 8 guys grilled him on why the offense was so bad every week and what was his plan to fix it. If he isn't coaching a team / game, he has a lot of insight to add.
I think, in general, you are very accurate with this assessment. The issue I am having, when analyzing the greatest run in NFL history, is a full realization of how bad Brady's weapons were. All year we have heard about the bare cupboard in KC, but look at the history of New England's drafts and find the rookie receiver that is as good as Rashee Rice. Rice is an investment in Mahomes' success that is paying off. Kelce is a gronk level weapon. MVS, Hardman, and Moore aren't great, but how do they compare to reche caldwell, david patten, danny amendola, chris hogan, and many other journeymen that Brady made into weapons? So the rub for me is that Brady couldn't have had the same success without Bill the DC and that defense, but he was also really fighting uphill on offense, due to some pretty terrible management by Bill the GM. That extra level of difficulty can (and should) serve to elevate our perception of Brady's greatness, but I don't know that it takes away from Belichick's coaching greatness as much as it indicates a professional blindspot (personnel management) that eventually caught up to him. Brady may have fooled Belichick into thinking he was pretty good at doing everything, soup to nuts. Take away Brady and you still have the greatest defensive mind and gameday schemer in NFL history, but that isn't enough to overcome bad personnel.
General Malaise
Footballguy
I've heard this rumor too, so it's not just you that's saying it.
Cowboysfan8
Footballguy
I watched a fishing show once, I forget who’s it was and they had Bill out fishing. He was totally different like you say and seemed like a great guy to fish and have beers with. Might have been with Jimmy Johnson
Boston
Footballguy
I think I saw that...I remember Jimmy really liking Heinekens.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
BB the GM relied on TB the HOF QB many times to make do with some mediocre weapons and lower priced offensive players. In the salary cap era, BB helped form the strategy of spending less on a QB and surrounding offensive weapons to have more cap dollars to spend elsewhere. That worked for almost 20 years and achieved sustained results and success that no other franchise has seen in the salary cap era.
Brady didn't win a title in 10 years across what would be considered the prime years for most QB (28-37 years old). Those were the years where Brady did get upgrades in weapons, yet NE DIDN'T win. Some guys were there longer than others, but guys that came and went included Moss, Welker, Stallworth, Gaffney, Maroney, Gronk in his early years, Hernandez, Branch Part 2, Ocho Cinco, Lloyd, and others). The Pats had multiple seasons scoring 500+ points, but the defense wasn't as good in some of those seasons (whether that be by inferior personnel, more $$$ spent on offense, bad luck in the postseason, etc.) That just illustrates how difficult it is to win in any given season.
BB and NE found that the spend-less-on-offense strategy only works with a HOF QB. Mac Jones couldn't win without more pieces on offense (and a lot better pieces at that). I don't think that means the game has passed Bill by, I just think that means he can't win going cheap on offense without one of the best QBs to ever play the game. I would guess that if he went to a talented, already built roster, we'd see that Bill could still coach and be successful . . . but just don't ask him to lead a rebuild.
JohnnyU
Footballguy
Sounds like he either didn’t have the time, or the desire, or both, to change from what worked previously. Why didn’t he draft one of the current successful QBs, even one that would not have cost the farm? If he was lousy at drafting talent at WR, why didn’t he suggest hiring a top GM? Why in the hell would he ever put a DC at OC? He should have changed his offensive roster management philosophy after Brady left, or hire a competent GM to do it for him. From all of this, yes, the game not only passed him by, it flew by him.
Boston
Footballguy
I really don't totally agree with this...the one year Brady got legit weapons he set the league record for TD passes and was one insane play from a nobody WR from going undefeated...he also was able to win his 3 later titles when he had some of the best weapons he ever had in Gronk, Edelman, White, Amendola, Vereen, Bennett, Hogan, Blount and even Michel who was good his rookie year (as well as Burkhead who he gave a decent $ to)...also he was surrounded by big time lineman in Mankins, Solder, Vollmer, Thuney, Andrews and Mason...so while I think Brady could definitely make do with less when there was legit investments on O (be it draft or FA) he was able to win titles.
Those 9 years that you highlight in the middle of Brady's career are interesting. I know that it LOOKS like brady got great upgrades, and certainly 2007 Moss was still great, but by the time Brady came back from injury in 2009, Moss wasn't the same. The rest of that list, outside of gronk, is pretty underwhelming. While I agree that Belichick realized he had to get weapons, and I give him a lot of credit for seeing what Welker could be, he wasn't very good at getting those weapons. Brady's top receiver each year over that 9 year span was branch, caldwell, moss, welker 5 years in a row, and edelman. Other than Moss, I think most of those are not looked at as alpha-type receivers. New England didn't win a superbowl over this span, but their success was still staggering. I think their record (regular season) was 110-34. Brady and Belichick could both be the best at their respective positions and still it could be true that Brady's greatness was more adaptable, portable (to other teams), and timeless.
https://twitter.com/JoeBanner13
@JoeBanner13
I don’t believe Belichick ever is a HC in the league again.
@JoeBanner13
I don’t believe Belichick ever is a HC in the league again.
Anarchy99
Footballguy
I am only taking an outcome-based approach (ie, not evaluating personnel or external factors in any given season). NE didn't win in Brady's prime (for any other QB) and didn't win when their offense was a wrecking ball. The three times they scored 500+ points and led the lead in scoring they didn't win the SB (2007, 2010, 2012). Five other times they were Top 3 in scoring (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017). They didn't win a ring in any of those seasons. I find that really odd, as their 7 best offensive seasons they didn't win a championship. Who knows why that is. Maybe it's just a fluke. I agree that they had a strong collection of talent on offense in their last 3 title seasons. The big picture, to me, is that they were in position to win almost every season (13 trips to the AFCCG).
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Boston
Footballguy
In all honesty I think they won it all when they had legit talent on both sides of the ball and were not using smoke and mirrors which they did some years (like 2006)...I have always said when BB the GM gave BB the HC legit talent they won titles.
JohnnyU
Footballguy
Will Josh McDaniels? Should he?
