Bill Belichick would be willing to accept a change to his role in order to land another coaching job in NFL, it has been claimed.
Former two-time Super Bowl-winning coach Jimmy Johnson says Belichick has told him he doesn’t have to be ‘in charge of everything’ like he was at the New England Patriots.
Belichick came to a mutual ending to his time with the Patriots in early January after 24 seasons in charge.
He had not reached a Super Bowl since 2019 and just suffered his worst campaign in charge, finishing with a 4-13 record.
Bill Belichick would be prepared to make a change in his next NFL job
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The 71-year-old was linked with an immediate return to coaching, with reports claiming he was interviewed by the Atlanta Falcons.
The Falcons instead appointed Raheem Morris and Belichick will now likely have to wait until 2025 for a new job.
If so, it would be the first season since 1974 where he has not been on an NFL coaching staff.
Belichick also held the role of general manager at the Patriots ever since he joined the team in 2000.
Johnson says he recently met with Belichick, where he discussed what his future could look like.
Johnson said some NFL chiefs are ‘afraid’ of him because they think he could take their jobs.
He told Florida radio station WQAM 560 AM: “Bill and his girlfriend just left the house about four days ago, and he came down to spend a few days with me.
“We talked about a bunch of stuff. He had been with [Bill] Parcells and [Nick] Saban a couple of days earlier, and some of these [NFL] owners are a little bit afraid of him.
“The general managers and the personnel people in the organizations are really afraid of him because they think if he comes in they are going to lose their jobs.
“A lot of people working against him as far as getting a job. I was shocked that he didn’t get some more opportunities. He’ll get opportunities next year.”
But Johnson says Belichick is prepared to change and would not necessarily demand being a team’s general manager, alongside the head coach role.
He claims the six-time Super Bowl winner would allow people above him to make those decisions.
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Bill Belichick came to a mutual agreement to leave the New England Patriots in January
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Johnson added: “Bill is upfront about it. He said, ‘Hey, I don’t have to be in charge of everything.’
“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. He is more than willing to give up the decision-making to the general manager and the personnel people.”
A week after his departure was announced, Belichick was replaced at the Patriots by Jerod Mayo.
Bill Belichick would be prepared to take a head coach role but not be a general manager
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Belichick thanked the Patriots fans in an emotional letter, writing: “Nowhere in America are pro sports fans as passionate as in New England and for 24 years, I was blessed to feel your passion and power.
“The Patriots are the only NFL team representing SIX states but in reality, Patriots Nation knows no borders.
“You were undaunted by weather, attended scorching hot training camp practices and braved Foxborough’s coldest, wettest, snowiest and windiest days.
“We loved it! You gave your precious time, resources, and energy to our team. We appreciated it!”
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