Ex Patriots Star Predicts Bill Belichick to Cowboys

Asante Samuel is no fan of Bill Belichick. But the former All-Pro cornerback who won two Super Bowls for the New England Patriots also believes that a plan is in place leading the legendary coach to the Dallas Cowboys in 2025.

"We know Jerry Jones loves his players, but something's going on this year," Samuel said over the weekend on ESPN Radio. "I think it leads to next year: Bill Belichick will be the head coach of the Cowboys next year. Jerry wants to win a Super Bowl, but his options are running out. The last option for that to come to light is Bill Belichick."

Samuel twice led the NFL in interceptions while playing five seasons for Belichick, but has been critical of him since retiring. The coach once played receiver Troy Brown at cornerback over Samuel as punishment for a contract holdout, and he responded with a three-interception performance and a taunting of his own coach as he ran down the sideline.

When Belichick threatened to use the franchise tag ahead of him before the 2008 season, Samuel said he told the legendary coach, "I’m a f*ck this team up.” Samuel hasn't been inducted into the Patriots' Hall of Fame, and believes Belichick is responsible for the snub.

But all that doesn't preclude Samuel from recognizing his coach's greatness, or Jones' public affinity for the future Hall of Famer who still has a desire to end his career with the NFL's most all-time wins.

After announcing that Mike McCarthy would coach this season as a "lame duck" without a contract for 2025, Jones was given a chance last January to shut down the persistent Belichick-to-the-Cowboys rumors. Instead, he left the door wide open.

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"I know him personally and I like him,” Jones said of Belichick. "There’s no doubt in my mind we could work together. None. None.”

Belichick, who parted ways with the Patriots after six Super Bowls over 24 seasons, is a coaching free agent committed only to TV analysis this season.