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It's the time of year for changes in the NFL, with now one-quarter of the league’s coaching staffs in transition. Bill Belichick is preparing for the next chapter of his legendary career. It now seems unlikely that he will be coaching in the NFL during the 2024 season. In fact, it could be the first time since the 1974 season that Belichick has not been with any NFL team.

The Grumpy One has been passed over by both the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Commanders who have hired new coaches this year since his dismissal from the New England Patriots following 24 seasons in Foxborough. If and when the music does stop on the annual hiring of the coaching carousel, it could see Belichick 71, a legend of the sport still sitting on the sidelines without a team.

Few teams with head coach openings have expressed any interest in Belichick despite his availability. As all the new hiring this year have shown so far, teams are hiring coaches for future performance, not past performances. They want younger coaches with the hope that their team can have sustained success for many years. Just like New England once had. The exception would be Dallas because Jerry Jones has put Mike McCarthy on last-minute notice with Belichick comments (msn.com) and Dallas is considered a highly talented team. 

It isn't clear if Belichick would like to work in TV, but networks will likely target him if he doesn't coach during the 2024 season.

Taking time off from coaching would also allow him some time to reflect on the decisions that he made after getting rid of Tom Brady and having the Patriots franchise collapse. Belichick has left at the bottom of his game after the Patriots finished with the NFL's second-worst record (4-13) in 2023.

​How Tom Brady EXPOSED The Patriots Without Doing Anything (msn.com)

Tom Brady on why he doesn’t credit ‘The Patriot Way’ for dynasty (boston.com)