Falcons eyeing more than Bill Belichick for HC job

The Atlanta Falcons next head coach search is underway. Since Atlanta dismissed Arthur Smith from his coaching duties on Sunday night, they have been heavily linked to longtime New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. As of Thursday morning, Belichick is officially a free agent, marking a very successful 24-year tenure and the end of an […]

Kelsey Kramer — College Football & NFL Trending News Writer

Jan 11, 2024 9:19 AM EST

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks the field during warm-ups as quarterback Tom Brady (12) stands in the background before Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium. — Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

The Atlanta Falcons next head coach search is underway.

Since Atlanta dismissed Arthur Smith from his coaching duties on Sunday night, they have been heavily linked to longtime New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.

As of Thursday morning, Belichick is officially a free agent, marking a very successful 24-year tenure and the end of an era in New England.

? ? ?

The #Patriots are moving on and so is the greatest coach of all time.

Bill Belichick won’t be New England’s coach in 2024, per me and @TomPelissero, as his celebrated 24-year tenure, one that included 6 Super Bowl wins, is over. A new era awaits. pic.twitter.com/QRqfe2lkHh
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 11, 2024

It's good news for the Falcons, or any team trying to land Belichick since the Patriots opted not to trade him in exchange for compensation.

Bill Belichick will want to continue coaching and is expected to draw interest from at least some of the other seven NFL teams that currently have head coach vacancies, quite possibly the Atlanta Falcons, per league sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 11, 2024

The Falcons have either yet to submit an interview request for Belichick, or it has yet to be reported. All interview requests are public.

Until then, let's take a look at the other head coach candidates on the Falcons' radar.

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Falcons have requested an interview for Detriot Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.

The #Falcons requested an interview with #Lions OC Ben Johnson for their head coaching job, per source.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 11, 2024

Johnson, 37, has held the role of OC in Detroit for two seasons where he helped in the development of one of the best offenses in the NFL this year. Prior to that, he was the tight ends coach from 2020-2021 before he was promoted to passing game coordinator midseason in 2021.

The Falcons are also interested in Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.

Glenn, 51, a former first-round pick of the Jets in 1994, joined Detroit last year. The Lions defense finished the regular with the second-best run defense in the league.

#Lions DC Aaron Glenn has also been requested by the #Falcons, source says. https://t.co/fRLE4L6i7Y
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 11, 2024

Additionally, Atlanta wants to interview Baltimore Ravens defensive line coach and associate head coach Anthony Weaver, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.

Weaver, 43 has been with the Ravens since 2021, where he played a pivotal role in leading a Baltimore defense that ranked No. 1 this year.

In other coaching news… The #Falcons have requested to interview #Ravens DL coach and associate head coach Anthony Weaver for their vacant job, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 11, 2024

The Falcons are also interested in San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

Wilks, 54, joined the Niners this past season and is credited for coaching a Niners defense that ranked No. 3 in points allowed and No. 8 in yards allowed.

The #Falcons requested permission to interview #49ers DC Steve Wilks for their head coach job, source says.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 11, 2024

Expect the Falcons to submit several more requests over the next few days.