Tully Banta-Cain wasn’t surprised Bill Belichick signed TV deal: ‘Bill’s been waiting to cook’

On Monday, former Patriots linebacker Tully Banta-Cain joined The Greg Hill Show in-studio, where he was asked about year-one expectations for his former teammate Jerod Mayo as head coach of New England, Bill Belichick’s future in coaching, his expectations for his former head coach as a television analyst, and his thoughts on rookie quarterback Drake Maye,

On his expectations for Mayo in year one as head coach:

“I think it’s good to see the kind of dynamic that he could bring as a former player. As opposed to Bill, who really never played football but had such prowess in coaching ability. So I think because it’s such a young team, I think they’re going to gel well. And if they can get some confidence games in - they got Bengals on the road first game, that’s a tough ask. But if they get through Cincinnati, I think it’s going to spell for more good things from that team.”

On Belichick’s relatability to today’s player:

“As you know Wiggy, he can adapt. You would think he’s not player friendly, he just has a way about him that is just old school. But I think players actually relate to him more than he relates to the players.

“You got to also have people that are also setting that standard player-wise. Vet guys, core guys that you know, say, ‘Hey, you know, this is a system. You got to be part of the system.’”

On what he sees in Maye going into his rookie season:

“I mean, he has all the measurables, right? He looks the part, I’ll give him that. In the games I’ve seen, I mean, he can make plays. The NFL’s different, though. So I don’t know. I think he has a lot of upside so I’m rooting for him.”

On if he believes Belichick will come back to the NFL as a head coach:

“I don’t see why he wouldn’t if he still has the love for it. And I don’t see him not having the love for it.”

On Belichick’s taste of retirement impacting his desire to return to the NFL sidelines:

“I don’t know. He didn’t jump right into [semi-retirement]. And it seems like he does want - it’s going to have to be the way Bill wants it.”

On if he was shocked that Belichick signed on to be a TV talking head with ESPN and Inside the NFL for the 2024 season:

“No, I feel like Bill’s been waiting to cook for a while. Yeah, it’s about time.”

Banta-Cain spent six seasons in New England across two different stints (2003-06; 2009-10), winning two Super Bowls as a complimentary member of one of the vaunted defenses of this millennium. He recorded 134 solo tackles and 23.5 sacks in 85 games in a Patriots uniform.

Banta-Cain was in-studio to promote his Beach Football League coming to the shores of Hampton Beach, New Hampshire on Labor Day weekend. He announced the new pro football league last year, and teams feature both former NFL stars along with local players looking for a chance to continue their football career. The first tryout event will be on August 31 at Hampton Beach, and signups are available online , free of charge until July 31.