Bill Belichick speculation will cast an immense shadow over NFL season

It’s obvious to everyone that Bill Belichick wants back in the game.

With NFL training camps underway, owners, executives, players, and fans are optimistic. Reality will set in once the season starts, and by late November, many will be thinking about 2025. That means they will be thinking about Belichick.

Last week, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero said on The Rich Eisen Show that “Bill Belichick intends to coach in 2025.”

Pelissero added: “He’ll be trying to better himself. He’ll be trying to remind you that he’s not Darth Vader, that there’s more to Bill Belichick. He’s done a good job of that so far through his media stuff. He wants to coach again. He wants to pursue the all-time wins record. Those are things that really matter a lot to Bill Belichick.”

As brilliant and successful as he is, Belichick has something to prove. The New England Patriots’ unprecedented dynasty deteriorated under his watch. Bill Belichick the general manager undermined Bill Belichick the coach. The belief is that if you could get Belichick to stick to coaching, he could return to his winning ways.

Belichick surprisingly got shut out of last winter’s coaching cycle. That likely won’t be the case this winter.

Television can do wonders for a reputation, and you’ll see plenty of Bill Belichick the broadcaster this season. He’ll be on The CW’s Inside the NFL , as well as ESPN with The Pat McAfee Show and the ManningCast. He won’t only be talking to viewers, but potential employers as well. Belichick will be able to rehabilitate his image and make himself seem like a more desirable candidate.

This is important. Even a six-time Super Bowl champion could use a makeover. Belichick clashed with his former boss Robert Kraft , and other owners noticed. Belichick must show that he is willing to change, be flexible, and be more personable. In today’s office environment, that matters.

Nobody wants to work with a jerk.

Given his age (72) and surly reputation, Belichick might not have a lot of options, but he will have some. He’s not going to coach for another two-decade stint at his next job as he did in his last one. Belichick will be viewed as a short-term solution who might need to prepare a succession plan for his next franchise.

The speculation has already begun. The Dallas Cowboys are the heavy-betting favorites for Belichick’s next coaching destination. On paper, that makes sense. Mike McCarthy is in the final year of his contract and essentially a lame duck. Quarterback Dak Prescott is also poised to become an unrestricted free agent . Unless the Cowboys reach the Super Bowl, there will be plenty of changes on the horizon. Still, Dallas has several good young players, particularly on defense. While Jerry Jones hasn’t hired strong personalities in recent history, Jones convinced Belichick’s mentor Bill Parcells to work for him. Plus, Jones, 81, is running out of time to win another Super Bowl.

Other suitors could be the New York Giants, the New York Jets, and the Philadelphia Eagles. Belichick returning to the Giants would be a homecoming. He was Parcells’ defensive coordinator when the franchise won its first two Super Bowls. Belichick presumably still has ties to the region and ownership. It would be a slam-dunk sell to the fanbase and media. Of course, all that hinges on what happens with Brian Daboll, who is in his third season.

And, of course, there might be a dark horse candidate. It’s all just a guessing game at this point. But Belichick speculation will cast an immense shadow over this NFL season.

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