Way-too-early forecast for Bill Belichick's next team

The 2024 season will mark the first in 38 years that Bill Belichick has not coached in some capacity at the NFL level. While the 72-year-old turned down an assistant job with the San Francisco 49ers, a return to the sidelines in 2025 is all but assured.

The question of where Belichick ultimately lands is still far from being decided, but it's never too early to dissect the possibilities. Here's an updated look at several potential fits and why those landing spots make sense.

Chicago Bears

Following an offseason full of massive additions, the Bears are seemingly all in for 2024. If they fail, head coach Matt Eberflus may have to fall on the sword.

There isn't much linking Belichick to the Bears, but they have one commodity he covets—a young quarterback to mold, Caleb Williams. Along with an improved defense and a stockpile of weapons on offense, Chicago could be one of the more attractive options.

Meanwhile, the Bears currently have the third-best odds of landing Belichick.

Dallas Cowboys

Mike McCarthy has struggled to get the Cowboys over the hump, going 1-3 in the postseason over four seasons. Meanwhile, 2024 is a lame-duck year for the head coach, entering the final year of his contract.

Barring a Super Bowl victory or a very deep playoff run, McCarthy's time is likely up. If so, the Cowboys will need to make a big splash, and there's none bigger than Belichick, who former head coach Eric Mangini believes would be the " best option " for Dallas.

Perhaps Belichick coming to Arlington is fate. After all, he told Jerry Jones in 1996 not to forget about him if an opportunity presented itself, something the Cowboys owner has admitted in the past to thinking about " often ."

New York Giants

The Giants are seemingly going backward following a 6-11 finish in 2023 and the loss of their star running back, Saquon Barkley, to the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles. If things continue to go south, that could spell the end for head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joel Schoen, making Belichick, already an upgrade, even more appealing.

Former star running back Tiki Barber claims Daboll and Schoen are safe . However, things can change quickly in the NFL, especially for losing teams.

Meanwhile, Belichick has a history with the Giants, and his relationship with co-owner John Mara and the Mara family goes back to 1985 when his coaching career began with the franchise. Fences might need mending , but the pair have two Lombardi Trophies together to fall back on, and there might be potential for more if they reunite.

Philadelphia Eagles

Belichick's name became tied to the Eagles following the team's devastating late-season collapse in 2023. Head coach Nick Sirianni will get another shot in 2024, but the six-time Super Bowl winner still looms in the background.

The Eagles enter this season with championship aspirations and a roster capable of delivering them. If they fall short again with Sirianni steering the ship, that could lead to change, especially if Belichick is still an option.

In all likelihood, he will be, and according to ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler, it's a job the former New England Patriots boss may want in " the worst way ." Meanwhile, Tom Curran of NBC Sports Boston said the Eagles were the early favorite to land Belichick.