Will Bill Belichick Return to NFL? Top Landing Spots amid 'Behind-the-Scenes' Rumors

Heading into his final game of the 2025 season with North Carolina, Bill Belichick's name is expected to at least come up in the conversation for NFL head-coaching vacancies this offseason.

Per NFL insider Josina Anderson, there are "at least two teams" expected to have interest in having a "behind-the-scenes" conversation with Belichick about returning to the NFL.

Anderson also noted a third team could factor into the equation, but only if that club's ownership makes "one specific personnel change" beforehand.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network added on Wednesday's Rich Eisen Show that Belichick is "absolutely" interested in a return to the NFL:

Pelissero added that Belichick likely won't go through an entire interview process, but instead will just hope to be offered a job by an interested franchise.

One potential connection that stands out is between Belichick and the Atlanta Falcons.

There has already been speculation that Raheem Morris' job could be in jeopardy if Atlanta, which snapped a five-game losing streak on Sunday, doesn't have a strong finish to the season.

Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot reportedly has a strong relationship with owner Arthur Blank, but there was already speculation within the NFL about his status at the end of last season and things haven't improved for the franchise in 2025.

Belichick was considered the frontrunner for the Falcons job in January 2024 before they pivoted to hire Morris.

ESPN's Don Van Natta Jr., Seth Wickersham and Jeremy Fowler reported in April 2024 that neither Fontenot nor Falcons CEO Rich McKay "wanted to work" with Belichick because he was viewed as "an older, stoic coach who'd blow up the building" and they didn't consider him a long-term option, assuming he would retire soon after surpassing Don Shula as the NFL's all-time winningest head coach.

The only other head-coaching vacancies right now are the Tennessee Titans and New York Giants. Belichick spent 12 seasons as an assistant with the Giants from 1979 to 90, winning two Super Bowls.

Other jobs that could potentially come open after this season ends include the Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals would seem like the most attractive team from that group simply because their main offensive core of Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins gives them a high floor of production when all three are healthy.

Belichick's first season in North Carolina has not gone as well as anyone hoped. The Tar Heels are 4-7 heading into Saturday's season finale against North Carolina State.