Bill Belichick 'Not the Favorite' for Falcons' Head Coach Vacancy
The Atlanta Falcons' perceived interest in recently fired New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is well documented, starting with a meeting on Falcons owner Arthur Blank's yacht and continuing with a deeper second interview last Friday.
But the buzz surrounding Belichick heading to Atlanta has subsided in recent days as the Falcons have continued interviewing candidates, many of whom for the second time.
Atlanta's the lone team with a head coach opening to interview Belichick - and according to ESPN insider Adam Schefter, the Falcons' actions in the aftermath of Belichick's second interview suggest they're not closely pursuing the 71-year-old.
"Since then, the Falcons have paraded through a series of candidates for second interviews and other interviews and scheduled more and more talks with other candidates," Schefter said Thursday on ESPN's 'Get Up'. "That doesn't sound like a team that's ready to make a move on Bill Belichick."
Schefter noted the fluctuating patterns in hiring cycles, as teams sometimes start interested in a candidate and grow disinterested, or vice versa.
It's possible the Falcons' interest in Belichick picks up once more, but for now, the six-time Super Bowl winner appears to be on the backburner.
"In this particular case, the Falcons have shown they're interested in a lot of people," Schefter said. "In their own words, they described to me that their coaching search, after they met with Belichick for a second time, is wide open.
"So, if it's wide open after you've met with Bill Belichick twice, that certainly tells you he's not the favorite for the job."
And so, Schefter said there's a real possibility Belichick fails to get any head coaching jobs this offseason - and Sports Illustrated's Conor Orr agreed, noting his best guess is Belichick winds up on television next season.
Still, opinions remain split.
"I have talked to folks who still believe Belichick is the favorite, and folks who believe that his ship has sailed," Orr said.
So, if not Belichick, then who?
Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik is interviewing for the job Thursday afternoon at Blank's house in the Atlanta area, which has quickly become the hot spot for the Falcons' meetings. CEO Rich McKay and general manager Terry Fontenot are also present.
Slowik joins Belichick, Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero as candidates to receive a second interview.
The Falcons have also planned to meet again with two assistants apiece from the Detroit Lions - offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn - and Baltimore Ravens - defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald and defensive line coach and associate head coach Anthony Weaver.
Atlanta's interviewed 14 total candidates at least once, and over half of them are scheduled for second meetings. There's at least some buzz around Morris, who was with the Falcons from 2015-2020.
"Morris is a fascinating candidate here given that (he) was an interim coach in Atlanta and spent a long time with that organization," Orr said. "I have heard there are folks in the building rooting for Morris to pull what we might be perceived as an upset and win this job outright.
"Someone else I spoke to about Morris thought he had a formidable chance at getting a job this year."
The Falcons currently have no timetable to make a decision, though they have interviews scheduled next week with the Lions' and Ravens' assistants. They don't have to wait to complete those but may opt to do so, which could delay their decision.
Nonetheless, if Atlanta was zeroed in on Belichick, such a wait likely wouldn't be taking place.
