NFL Rumors: Bill Belichick Joining Falcons Gaining 'Traction' amid Patriots Buzz

If the New England Patriots move on Bill Belichick, the Atlanta Falcons may waiting in the wings to land the future Hall of Famer.

Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano of ESPN reported the Falcons have a "strong interest" in Belichick and there is "traction" to the idea of mutual interest.

Belichick met with Patriots owner Robert Kraft on Monday, and conversations regarding the coach's future are expected to continue in the coming days.

The Falcons fired coach Arthur Smith early Monday morning after a third consecutive losing season. Atlanta closed the regular season with four losses in its last five games and spent most of the last two seasons dealing with fans criticizing Smith's usage of the team's emerging offensive stars.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank has reportedly set his sights on Belichick or Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh as the organization seeks a leader at the top, per Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. Harbaugh is fresh off leading Michigan to a national championship but could seek an NFL return after the way his tenure with the San Francisco 49ers ended after the 2014 season. The 60-year-old has been linked to openings with the Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos in recent offseasons but has chosen to remain at Michigan.

Belichick's 24-year tenure in New England appears likely to be coming to an end after a 4-13 season. The Patriots have missed the playoffs in three of four seasons since Tom Brady's departure, thanks in large part to Belichick's failures to properly identify talent in the draft and free agency. Mac Jones, who is likely on his way out of New England this offseason after just three seasons, is the only Patriots first-round pick in the last decade to make a Pro Bowl.

It's fair to wonder whether Blank handing the keys to a 71-year-old Belichick is the right move. Every coach eventually sees the game pass him by, and Belichick's talent evaluation skills have, at the very least, left something to be desired for some time.

If the Falcons could get Belichick to agree to simply coach the team rather than dip his hand into personnel, then it might be an option worth exploring. However, hiring Belichick to take over football operations and coach could be an example of a desperate team going for the splashiest hire without regard for recent performance.