Cowboys Hall of Famer Jimmy Johnson Reveals Ex Patriots Belichick Concession
Bill Belichick is remaining characteristically quiet about his post-New England Patriots career. A fellow multiple Super Bowl champion coach is more than happy to be his proxy.
Jimmy Johnson, a two-time champion with the Dallas Cowboys, disclosed some of the behind-the-scenes happenings of Belichick's future in an apparent attempt to defuse one of the most common arguments against adding the ex-Patriots boss to the fold.
"He said, 'Hey, I don't need to be in charge of everything,'" Johnson said in a radio interview this week. "That's what happened up in New England. He kind of fell into that deal, and it's not necessarily that he pushed for it. That's what happened because he was there for so long.
"But he's more than willing to give up some of the personnel decisions to the general manager and the personnel people."
Though never officially holding the title and shared such duties with other personnel (i.e. Scott Pioli), Belichick served as the de facto general manager of the Patriots franchise as well as its head coach during his 24-year tenure. Belichick has thus been primarily blamed for leaving the Patriots in dire straits with their roster, as some of his final acts (i.e. drafting Mac Jones, letting top receiver Jakobi Meyers walk without much of a fight) have given the new regime led by Jerod Mayo a lot to clean up as they seek to return New England to its former gridiron glory.
Despite his lengthy list of accolades and accomplishments, Belichick received only one interview among the seven other head coaching vacancies. The Atlanta Falcons granted him two interviews but opted to go with Raheem Morris instead. Johnson is among those surprised to see Belichick still unemployed but believes that the relative concession could work in his favor come next Black Monday.
"I was shocked that he didn't get some more opportunities," Johnson said. "(But) he'll get opportunities next year."
