Bill Belichick is 72 and would be the oldest coach in the NFL should he return to lead a next team in 2025. Should he decide to resume his legendary Hall of Fame career after his Patriots’ tenure ended last season, he would have plenty of good options.
Although there are some rumors of Belichick coaching college football instead in his potential return, the NFL still will provide the most appealing opportunities.
With Belichick only 27 games away from passing Don Shula for the most regular-season wins as a head coach, here’s ranking teh best options, starting with the same state where he first coached:
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Belichick first showed his NFL promise in Cleveland from 1991-1995 with the original Browns, playing off his stellar stint as the Giants’ Super Bowl-winning coordinator under Bill Parcells. Don’t sleep on him bookending his career in Ohio given a favorable relationship with owner Mike Brown and knowing the Bengals are ready to win big now with the Tom Brady-like Joe Burrow playing MVP-caliber quarterback.
Belichick can get the most out of cheaper defensive players to clean up the mess on that ball and complement how explosive Cincinnati will continue to be with Burrow leading the offense. There’s a path to racking up wins and getting a quick shot at another Super Bowl, given the Bengals have just been there and done that.
Jerry Jones also has the power to persuade Belichick to take over his franchise. The real question is whether Jones would allow Belichick to “buy the groceries” as a top personnel man too, much like the best days with Parcells and Jimmy Johnson.
With how much Jones would spend to bring in Belichick to help the Cowboys end theirSuper Bowl drought, he might more willing to cede control as a trade off for having his underachieving team finally win big with Dak Prescott at QB.
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The Bears have appeal for Belichick succeeding Matt Eberflus because of their talented rookie No. 1 overall pick at quarterback, Caleb Williams. Chicago had some playoff potentital in 2024 but became a dysfunctional mess with shaky now former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and Eberflus. Even though the NFC North looks tough, it’s still a team prime for a big turnaround with some good pieces around the QB and some essential pass defense elements.
The only question how much decision-making power Belichick would get at the expense of young GM Ryan Poles. The money and profile is there, and so is the desire to get a proud franchise back at an elite level, stat.
Brady and Belichick, together again as part owner and full-time coach? The Raiders don’t have the immediate QB appeal that the Bengals, Cowboys and Bears have and the rebuilding aspects may not cater to Belichick winning big right away. But there’s great potential to lift up another proud desperate franchise through a methodical quick rebuild, tied to landing the right franchise QB in the 2025 draft (Shedeur Sanders).
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Burrow and Williams were No. 1 overall picks. Burrow has already show he was worthy of that selection and Williams is on his way to joining him. Trevor Lawrence hasn’t performed up the level of his can’t-miss draft status. Belichick could also see the Jaguars’ amassed young talent isn’t far away from turnaround, given the team finished 9-8 in consecutive seasons before this injury and inept defense driven downfall.
It’s notable the Eagles, the once strong odds-on favorites for Belichick’s next team, plus the Jets and Saints, who both have vacancies, are not on this list. Philadelphia should be fine with Nick Sirianni now that is the active leader in coaching winning percentage.
As for the Jets and Saints, there isn’t an easy path or either team to flip from major disappointment to big-time playoff contenders, tied to frustrating QB situations with an aging Aaron Rodgers and a limited Derek Carr.
Belichick would need about three good Patriots-like seasons to pass Shula. Those five teams above are by far more appealing.
