The shock and awe of Bill Belichick becoming the University of North Carolina's next head coach continues to dominate headlines this weekend, with many still questioning the coach's decision to move on from the NFL so abruptly. Many believed he would be the top candidate for teams to interview this upcoming offseason, but the Patriots' legendary coach decided to skip that and move on to a new path in the NCAAF.
It's an exciting development for an often disrespected figure in the league. The impact of those consistently trying to downplay his accomplishments simply due to how his time in New England ended appears to have gotten to Belichick and decided for him.
However, the latest rumors from reporters like The Athletic's Dianna Russini suggest the eight-time Super Bowl Champion and his team gauged potential interest from teams that already need a new head coach or will likely be firing their current coach to see what opportunities might be available for him next year.
One of the reported teams he allegedly contacted makes absolutely no sense: the New York Jets. It has to be either incorrect information being spread or there were alternative motives behind Belichick or his team's reaching out to this organization.
Bill Belichick's alleged interest in coaching for the New York Jets doesn't add up
While Belichick contacting teams isn't surprising, especially since he was looking into potentially joining the college football scene, it is shocking that Russini's sources are claiming someone in his circle made calls to the Jets.
Of all the teams he could inquire about, they would be at the bottom of the list, as his hatred for the Jets is very well documented.
A surprise NFL team heard from Bill Belichick š
ā Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) December 14, 2024
Also, the latest on the futures of the Patriots, Browns, Cowboys, and Panthers' head coaches.
Here is what Iām hearing around the league :https://t.co/oeBcFpvNZW pic.twitter.com/WsuNL55MvZ
It's mind-boggling to try and believe there could be any legitimate interest from Belichick to coach for the New York team based on his comments over the years about the franchise, most of which go beyond just the expected heat from coaching a divisional rival team.
His disdain for the Jets goes back years and goes all the way to the top. Earlier this season, during an appearance on Eli and Peyton Manning's ManningCast, he emphasized his hatred for the team and owner Woody Johnson, making it seem less plausible that he was ever seriously interested in becoming their next head coach.
Bill Belichick: "I'm not a big Jets fan, in case you don't know that... I thought Coach Saleh really did a good job with this team... That's kinda what it's been there with the Jets. They've barely won over 30% in the last 10 years. The owner being the owner... ready, fire aim." pic.twitter.com/p0Ek5RCuJg
ā Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 15, 2024
Does that seem like a guy who has any desire to be that team's next head coach?
Something isn't adding up, and because of this unbelievable rumor, some have suggested Belichick's team is purposely passing this rumor around as a last-ditch effort to throw shade toward the Jets and the NFL, which seems much more believable than anything else.