Summary
Belichick believed he had done everything right to get the job in Atlanta. He assured owner Arthur Blank that he wasn't seeking total control. No other candidate owned eight Super Bowl rings. Belichick's leadership style led, in part, to the decision by seven team owners to pass on him this offseason. The bad blood between Kraft and Belichick was no secret around the league, sources say. Owners have evolved in the 28 years since Belichick last hustled for a job. Belichick's leadership style led, in part, to the decision by seven team owners to pass on him this offseason. The bad blood between Kraft and Belichick was no secret around the league, sources say. Owners now value collaboration and cooperation among football operations, the coaching staff and other team executives. Belichick is expected to sign a deal to do analysis for Peyton Manning's Omaha Productions. He is believed to be biding his time until next January for openings. "He was essentially voted off the island," a source close to the Falcons' hiring process said. Not since Paul Brown in the 1960s had such a revolutionary head coach been available. Owners and executives, even on teams that didn't have openings, discussed hiring Belichick. Among them were the Eagles, who were coming off a disappointing finish one year after a narrow Super Bowl loss. Dallas was another potential suitor. Washington seemed to be another good fit, and multiple sources said Belichick was very interested. Commanders minority owner Magic Johnson lobbied hard for Belichick to be the team's new head coach. The Carolina Panthers briefly discussed Belichick, before he signed a two-year extension with New England a year ago. The Panthers opted for 42-year-old former Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Dave Canales. A source close to Belichick said the coach had questions about working in a strong-GM system. Belichick's first official job interview since 1998 was with Al Davis and the brass of the then-Oakland Raiders. The job went to Jon Gruden. Blank told colleagues that he was very impressed. Blank spoke by phone, at least twice, to Robert Kraft. Multiple sources told ESPN that Kraft spoke with "some candor" to Blank about Belichick. The sources said Kraft made clear to Blank that "you'll never have a warm conversation with" Belichick. One source close to Belichick said Kraft "was a big part" of why the Falcons passed on hiring him. If the Falcons had hired Belichick, the reported $25 million annual salary owed him by the Krafts for the upcoming season would have been offset by Blank. Kraft has since distanced himself from the project, which lists Kraft Dynasty LLC in the credits. "To be honest, my head coach is a pain in the tush," Kraft said on camera. Belichick assured Blank that he was willing to work with Fontenot. But a source familiar with the Falcons' thinking said neither McKay nor Fontenots wanted to work for Belichick. Belichick was portrayed repeatedly as the Falcons' favorite. But inside Falcons headquarters, Morris was the leader after he "blew away" his interview. "If Bill were 63... this might have been different," a source said. Belichick has told confidants he thinks he'll get at least one job interview next year. But in the end, where or if he works again won't likely be up to him. Belichick plans to travel abroad, speak to football programs around the country. The model is one of the books that influenced Belichick most: "Finding the Winning Edge"
