JANUARY 21: While Atlanta still has a ways to go in its search, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones confirms the job is ultimately Belichick’s if he wants it. He adds, however, that the chances of Belichick deciding to take the Falcons posting are currently seen as being “50-50.” The Falcons have yet to satisfy the Rooney Rule by interviewing two external minority candidates in person. Jones notes Blank is not aiming to fast-track other interviews to accelerate the timeline for adding Belichick or another coach. The latter remains the name to watch in Atlanta, however.
JANUARY 20: While Bill Belichick is reportedly the front runner for the Falcons head coaching job, that won’t stop the organization from considering other candidates. Jeff Howe of The Athletic notes that while there’s clear momentum towards a Falcons/Belichick pairing, the franchise is still intending “to conduct a thorough search for their head coaching hire.”
[RELATED: Bill Belichick Viewed As Top Falcons HC Candidate]
Howe adds that the process is ongoing, and while the Falcons may be targeting Belichick, they still intend to conduct additional interviews. Of course, this could simply be the organization hedging their bets in case Belichick decides to take his coaching acumen elsewhere.
We heard yesterday that owner Arthur Blank was “desperately” trying to lure Belichick to Atlanta, and it would ultimately be on the coach to determine if it’s a fit. With that in mind, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport notes that Belichick’s second interview is noteworthy and a clear indication that the iconic head coach is serious about heading to the Falcons.
Since we learned of Belichick’s first interview with the Falcons earlier this week, a number of big names have also emerged in the sweepstakes. The organization is already arranging a second interview with Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, and they’ve reportedly added former Titans coach Mike Vrabel to their list of targets. Indeed, Rapoport notes that the Falcons will meet with Vrabel next week regarding their head coaching vacancy.
Blank and the Falcons have reportedly been big-name hunting in their search for a new head coach, bucking the franchise’s trend of hiring first-year coaches. Of course, the organization is still doing its due diligence with the various head coaching candidates. Besides Belichick, Harbaugh, and Vrabel, the current list of candidates includes:
- Joe Brady, interim offensive coordinator (Bills): Interview requested
- Brian Callahan, offensive coordinator (Bengals): Interviewed 1/13
- Ejiro Evero, defensive coordinator (Panthers): Interviewed 1/14
- Aaron Glenn, defensive coordinator (Lions): Interviewed 1/19
- Ben Johnson, offensive coordinator (Lions): To interview 1/20
- Brian Johnson, offensive coordinator (Eagles): Interviewed 1/18
- Mike Macdonald, defensive coordinator (Ravens): Interviewed 1/12
- Raheem Morris, defensive coordinator (Rams): To interview 1/20
- Bobby Slowik, offensive coordinator (Texans): To interview 1/21
- Anthony Weaver, defensive line coach (Ravens): Interviewed 1/14
- Steve Wilks, defensive coordinator (49ers): Interviewed 1/13
Will Bill adopt an accent like Brian Kelly and David Carr when they went South?
Wonder if Falcons trade up with Patriots for Daniels at #3 if Williams and Maye are off the board. Would make for a pretty interesting story line. Or does NE take Daniels.
I think there is a better chance they trade for someone like Justin Fields. Just my thoughts.
I can see that
Lower cost lower risk
Lower cost in draft capital, but it immediately puts you into a cap altering decision. Fields really hasn’t done much. It’s the reason Chicago hasn’t locked him down. His QBR (which includes rushing), rating, and decision making are down near Ridder levels.
I would think Fields is really not even in the Falcons thought process right now. If they go with BB and he wants instant wins, then they push hard for Cousins, or maybe one of the other vets possibly coming free.
If they go with a coach who wants to continue to build for long-term success on a rookie scale contract, then trading up is a possibility, but I don’t see that either. I think they stay at 8, grab the best DE available (should be one of the consensus top two left), and then look to draft a QB in round 2 or trading up a few picks into the first round to get the extra year on his rookie decision. The flaws with this line of thinking is they rebuilt their defense with free agents on short term deals and by the time a QB is ready (year three usually), then the defense will need an overhaul.
“Desperately”….who is directly quoted at saying Arthur Blank is desperate to sign BB?!….Jim Harbaugh or Ben Johnson should be higher on the lists of priorities. They’re pushing the BB to the Falcons narrative hard though.
I keep laughing at everyone who keeps thinking Harbaugh is going to Atlanta, he’s not going there, he’d go back to Michigan before he sign with the Falcons , be happy with BB, maybe a shot at Vrabel, those are the most likely candidates
Why is that? I’m not saying you’re wrong or right, but why do you personally believe Harbaugh coming to Atl is unfathomable? You’ve posted that comment a few times
..just curious your reasoning?
I would like to hear this as well. Atlanta is arguably the best opening available (hold their own picks and are not in cap misery). If Harbaugh wanted to stay at Michigan he would not be interviewing. So if he is interviewing, then what is the logic that he would just bail if it came down to Atlanta?
He wants to win a SuperBowl!
Harbaugh is using the interviews to get another raise/contract…he has done it like every year.
This Rooney Rule should have been buried with Dan Rooney like a Bottle of Jack was with Frank Sinatra
According to this list there are multiple guys that are minorities that have interviewed already so it shouldn’t matter at this point but the article says they haven’t fulfilled it .
They apparently have to be “in person” interviews even though 90% of the candidates had their first interviews over Zoom or whatever, white ones and BIPOCs alike.
Thank you for the clarification . First time hearing that.
Belichek holding out4 last job requirements, when addressed in the building or on the field, he will B referred 2as “God.” That n complete control of player personel + $10Mill a yr.