NFL Rumors: 'Well-Known Secret' That Giants Owner John Mara 'Loves' Bill Belichick

If the New York Giants decide to make a change at head coach after this season, Bill Belichick could be someone to keep an eye on because of team owner John Mara's feelings about the future Hall of Famer.

Per The Athletic's Dianna Russini, it's a "well-known secret" around the NFL that Mara "loves" Belichick stemming from his tenure as an assistant on the Giants' coaching staff from 1980 to '90.

Belichick is seemingly positioning himself to at least get head-coaching interviews during the next hiring cycle after this season. He is staying around the game by working in the media with weekly appearances on The Pat McAfee Show and frequent guest spots on the Manningcast as part of ESPN's Monday Night Football coverage.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Sept. 8 that Belichick wants to coach in 2025, but he will likely be "choosy" about the job that he takes.

The Atlanta Falcons were the only team with a coaching vacancy last offseason that interviewed Belichick twice. They ultimately decided to hire Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris.

There were teams that thought about adding Belichick to their staff, with Schefter citing the Rams and San Francisco 49ers as clubs who at least considered him as their defensive coordinator.

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged offering Belichick a job, but the 72-year-old turned him down.

Russini did note that the Giants' current organizational setup has some people around the league skeptical that Belichick would take the job if it were offered to him.

Another complicating factor is that Mara said this week he doesn't anticipate making any changes involving either head coach Brian Daboll or general manager Joe Schoen during the season or in the offseason.

Taking that at face value feels a little silly right now when the Giants still have 10 games remaining this season. They are off to a 2-5 start with an offense that ranks 30th in the NFL in points per game (14.1).

One encouraging sign is the defense has been respectable. They rank 12th in points allowed per game (21.3) on the strength of a defensive line led by Dexter Lawrence and Brian Burns. They could be even better when Kayvon Thibodeaux returns from injured reserve after undergoing wrist surgery, potentially as soon as Week 10.

Given that Belichick's strength as a coach is on the defensive side of the ball, putting him with that group of pass-rushers could make the Giants a lot more interesting very soon.

The Giants appear to have hit on Malik Nabers, so they just need to find competent quarterback play to potentially become a playoff contender in the NFC as soon as next season.