Jaguars would be the most appealing destination for Bill Belichick to return to NFL

After 24 seasons with the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick got the boot and found himself without a team to coach in 2024. While he interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons, it looks like their interest was of an exploratory nature. The Hoodie still has the itch to spend his Sundays on the NFL sidelines and several league executives have brought up the Jacksonville Jaguars as his most appealing choice to return.

Diana Rusinni of The Athletic recently reported that league executives have pointed to the Jags as one of the three best destinations for Belichick to become a head coach in the next hiring cycle. The other two are the Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

So what makes Jacksonville an intriguing landing spot for Belichick? Russini argues that the Super Bowl-winning head coach has maintained a good relationship with Jaguars ownership, but if he were to take over, he would make changes to the front office, including general manager Trent Baalke.

"One common answer was the Jacksonville Jaguars. In a recent episode of the “Scoop City” podcast, my co-host Chase Daniel and I discussed the possibility of Belichick taking over Jacksonville in 2025, should Doug Pederson get fired. While Belichick has maintained a strong relationship with Jaguars ownership, it’s anticipated he would seek changes in the front office, particularly regarding current general manager Trent Baalke."

This is interesting because talking head Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk has suggested that Belichick would welcome working with Baalke, having previously collaborated with him in the 1990s.

Either way, drafting and scouting aren't Belichick's fortes. He would need to work alongside someone who could operate without interference from the head coach. Given that the Hoodie was the defacto general manager and had the final say on personnel moves in New England, it's hard to tell if he would be open to that kind of dynamic with the Jaguars. If he is, he'll be joining an enticing situation.

Jacksonville already has a franchise quarterback in Trevor Lawrence. On top of that, the team key has playmakers at key positions such as Travon Walker, Josh Hines, Tyson Campbell, and Anton Harrison. Add the fact that they'll have ample cap space and draft picks to work with, and the Jags could be a coveted opening in the next hiring cycle.

Bill Belichick will be one of many candidates the Jaguars will target if they dismiss Doug Pederson

It's important to point out that the Jacksonville Jaguars haven't dismissed Doug Pederson, but it looks like it's a matter of time before they dismiss him and Baalke. Both of them have been on the hot seat due to the team's underwhelming record and the 2023 late-season collapse.

Russini herself reported that changes could be coming to Jacksonville if they got blown out against the Chicago Bears. They were severely embarrassed but owner Shad Khan has stayed put and will probably wait until the offseason to pull the trigger.

It's worth noting that it's not a given that the Jags will move on from Pederson, especially if they finish the season strong. But for the sake of the argument, let's say Khan does give him his walking papers, Jacksonville will have no shortage of candidates to choose from. Bill Belichick will be one of them, but they must leave no stone unturned in their potential search for a head coach.

Heck, other retreats such as Mike Vrabel will also be available, so Belichick. won't be a slam dunk to coach the Jaguars, even though he's seemingly interested in their opening, according to Russini.

The bottom line is that Belichick remains an appealing candidate for the Jaguars' head coaching opening if they fire Doug Pederson, but it's too early in the process to know with certainty if they'll make a run for him.

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