Bill Belichick Intimate Floats His Name To Bucs
December 2nd, 2024
Available, says insider.
Last week there seemed for Joe to be unusual chatter from a respected league insider that linked currently unemployed six-time Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Belichick to the Bucs.
At the time, the Bucs were in the midst of a four-game losing streak. The Bucs snapped that a week ago with a resounding win over the Giants yet a member of Belichick’s inner circle floated his name to the Bucs, provided there is a coach’s opening. And that member of Belichick’s inner circle is former NFL suit Michael Lombardi.
How close is Lombardi with Belichick? Well, Lombardi works with Belichick on the ex-coach’s podcast right now. He also worked for Belichick in both Cleveland and New England. Also, Belichick hired Lombardi’s son, Mick, as an offensive assistant coach in New England.
Further, Joe heard Lombardi say on his podcast, “GM Shuffle,” that one late spring weekend afternoon he heard a knock on his door. It was Belichick.
He was sailing his boat south from Boston to Florida and he docked in Ocean City, N.J. to spend time with his former colleague.
So yeah, he knows Belichick rather well.
Last week on “Mad Dog Radio,” featured on SiriusXM Radio, the one and only Chris “Mad Dog” Russo hosted Lombardi for their weekly gambling spot.
There, Russo asked Lombardi if Belichick would return to coaching next year and where may he land? That’s when Lombardi said don’t count out the Bucs.
Chris “Mad Dog” Russo: Will Belichick coach next year and if so where? What’s the most likely spot?
Michael Lombardi: Ah, I would definetly think he will coach next year. I really think that is probably in the cards. I think there is a lot of interest in him so far. My initial guess would be Jacksonville but that is strictly just a guess. … Look, I think there are going to be some jobs that we are not even talking about that could potentially be open. I think Tampa Bay, if they don’t keep winning, could open up. I think that could be a possibility [for Belichick] because I know how much he likes Baker.
This is all very interesting to Joe. And yes, Joe knows Todd Bowles is very much employed by Team Glazer. If the Bucs make the playoffs, Joe doesn’t think the odds are good that Bowles would be replaced.
And every win Bowles might have in the playoffs strengthens his job security.
This wasn’t the first time Joe heard that Belichick likes Baker Mayfield. Earlier this year on the weekly NFL Films show “Inside the NFL,” Mayfield’s name came up in conversation. Belichick beamed and said, “I love Baker Mayfield.”
Any veteran coach looking for an NFL gig wants a built-in, veteran starting quarterback. Especially a guy in his 70s like Belichick.
Again, Joe isn’t saying Bowles is done with the Bucs. Or that the Bucs plan to move on or should.
It’s just very curious that twice in the past week Joe heard respected NFL insiders link Belichick’s name to the Bucs, despite no opening. Currently.
December 2nd, 2024 at 5:20 am
Shula has 347 wins, the Hoodie has 333 and given Belichick’s ego, it is not a far reach he wants to coach a few more seasons (2 or 3) to get that record. Given the possible and already confirmed openings (New Orleans, Jags, both NY teams, Chicago, Tampa, Vegas, Cleveland), Tampa is not at the bottom of the list for a coach who wants to have a roster which he can turn around very quickly as Tampa has talent, just poor coaching……Thus, the Hoodie’s surrogates are going to put out feelers to clubs like Tampa and owners like the Glazers…. Simply put: Turtle Todd is on thin ice and everyone knows it, so the sharks are beginning to close in. The Bucs were very fortunate to win yesterday, a decent team would have beat them and a playoff caliber team would have boat raced Bowles and his D while Coen and Baker had a bad afternoon until the 4th quarter.
December 2nd, 2024 at 5:31 am
I hope Bowles wins the rest of his games and has a deep playoff run and I hope if he doesn’t do that, we are put out of his misery.
December 2nd, 2024 at 5:53 am
I seem to recall a particular defensive minded coach who was fired after a 1-and-done playoff berth. With the same ownership group we still have. And with the allure of a coaching legend waiting in the wings. Parcells wanted complete control and couldn’t get it, allegedly. Thus all looks damn familiar.
December 2nd, 2024 at 6:33 am
Just No to Bellicheat.
December 2nd, 2024 at 6:34 am
“”I hope Bowles wins the rest of his games and has a deep playoff run and I hope if he doesn’t do that, we are put out of his misery.”””
That sums it up nicely as far as I’m concerned. We all WANT Bowles to succeed. But we should have lost this game yesterday. Everybody knows that. Anthony Nelson saved Todd’s job and the season with one play. This coach almost always has his teams unprepared to play. I’d take Belichick in a heartbeat over Bowles.
December 2nd, 2024 at 6:35 am
Anyone who thinks Bowles is a HC look at yesterday’s game. a
And to say Bowles broke a four game losing streak against the Giants like it’s a great accomplishment WOW my Mom could have done that.
We had to go to OT with the Panthers and we’re Lucky to be there.
THE DEFENSE GURU LET THE STINKING PANTHERS SCORE 23 And you call Bowles a HC
December 2nd, 2024 at 6:41 am
Here is why Coach Bill would demand complete and total control of all football decision making.
Trenton Gill is the BEST available option for kick offs and punts??????????
NO FREAKING WAY this stiff should not be cut. Camarda was a 4th round draft pick and Gill is what you are telling me is a better option???????????
Jason Licht better get his head out of his arse and get a new guy ASAP….
December 2nd, 2024 at 6:43 am
Don’t believe this team ever rises above mediocrity while being led by Bowles & his .431 career win%. If BB is able to keep Coen then I’m up for the swap, otherwise all for giving Goen his shot as a HC if he feels he’s ready. Like Canales, there’s likely to be some initial struggles while learning the ropes, but feel he’d right the ship fairly quickly and keep the team playing hard, much like Dave as well.
December 2nd, 2024 at 6:44 am
NO defensive head coaches for now. Saleh, Eberflus, and Dennis Allen were all DC’s. Now look at them and their teams.
December 2nd, 2024 at 6:49 am
Bowles will back in to the playoffs. Thanx to Coen.
December 2nd, 2024 at 6:51 am
Defense wins championships, and we are handicapped by injuries and Bowles. If we play Carolina next time like we did yesterday, we will lose. We won’t be favored against the Chargers, and the Saints, Raiders, and Cowboys, aren’t locks. The Panthers were supposed to be a lock. I don’t expect a deep run in the playoffs with Bowles. The players love him, but he’s a handicap.
December 2nd, 2024 at 6:58 am
Bill Belichick’s swan song could very well end with him as the next head coach of the New York Giants—if he decides to return to the sidelines
December 2nd, 2024 at 7:00 am
I do not want Belichick in Tampa. Look at his tecord without Brady. He’s the same as Bowles just older.
Let J-ville have him.
December 2nd, 2024 at 7:00 am
Promote Coen, bring in a defensive coordinator. Bowles assistants are past their prime. This defense has gradually become more and more ineffective each yr. It’s time for new blood that’s trying to make a name for themselves. Look back at Gruden and Dungys staff….both had multiple assistants go on to be HCs. None of Bowles assistants look capable as HCs, they don’t even appear motivated to coach this season. It’s time for them to retire, the league has passed them by.
December 2nd, 2024 at 7:16 am
I like Bowles but in order to be an elite team we need to have an elite defense. We have elite players but this defense as a whole underachieves on a weekly basis. Bellichek used to perennially produce elite defenses with marginal players. Every week different quarterbacks set personal records against the Bucs. I think we should revisit the Tony Dungy situation. If we don’t get to the NFC Championship game fire Bowles and hire Belechik
December 2nd, 2024 at 7:34 am
I don’t get people sometimes…
Bowles was a DC promoted to HC
Koetter was an OC promoted to HC
Matt Patricia.. etc, etc..
Canales, the jury is out on. Who knows?
Good Coordinators aren’t automatically good HC’s.
December 2nd, 2024 at 7:41 am
Even if the Bucs win this horrible division again, Bowles has got to go.
Does anyone want a 4th year of mediocrity, 9-8, while the talent that this team has ages out?
Keeping Bowles this year has already been a disaster, why would anyone want another?
December 2nd, 2024 at 8:07 am
My struggle is nobody likes the defense. It really is time he brings in a defensive coordinator and starts acting like an administrator. I saw some article saying to bring in eberflus from the bears and put him in chat of the defense. I think that would be great. I am so sick of seeing diaby in coverage, I want to kill someone!!!
December 2nd, 2024 at 8:11 am
Why do we not just lose every game we have left? We could up our draft positions ln every round. We fire the HC, bring in a new one. Start over with our entire Team, trade off “x, y, z” players, for more draft capital. So we Buc fan GM’s can P and moan…. when we are a few seasons away from new HC having his players, his system, in place..
Who is to say that Coen wants to be a HC next season? This is his first season as a NFL OC. Calling his plays running his game.
Sure if we bring in Belichick. And his last three seasons in NE were what? Super Bowl championships? Division champions? Or something else?
Sometimes the grass is not always greener, sometimes it is yellow and brown, or dead..
We have a good to very good offense, and a fair to good, sometimes very good defense. We need a Pass rusher, MLB, CB, WR, DT, reload in the draft, and move forward.
Few of you Buccaneer fans were here in the 76-80’s-95… onward yeah, but you want to roll the dice for a chance, to get maybe a better HC, or maybe get one not as good as the one we have.. Bowles has 1 more season left on his contract, is in position to add another Brady&Baker Banner to our 3 in a row, and y’all still P and moan…
SMH..
GO!!!!! BUCS!!!!!
December 2nd, 2024 at 8:12 am
Bowles has one job– and that has produced the 29th ranked defense overall…
December 2nd, 2024 at 8:19 am
Not Belichek. Not Bowles. Coen as the next HC. The Bucs can find a strong DC that can take over the defense and Coen can still call the offense.
December 2nd, 2024 at 8:20 am
Its a tough situation… because overall, Bowles teams make the playoffs… but as a fan, someone who watches every game, seeing the defense lose games and not being abke to stop weaker team’s offenses… is very frustrating.
Makes you wonder…
At least with Dungy, he had Monte, and the both of them always had solid defenses… so watching Bowles defenses give up the big plays is just unsettling.
December 2nd, 2024 at 8:22 am
Unless we win the Super Bowl we should fire Bowles. When we win we do it in spite of the coach. We are way undercoached. Too talented to be 6-6, throwing games to Atlanta. A better coach and we win chief and 9er games. Let’s talk about the trash job yesterday!
December 2nd, 2024 at 8:37 am
We already have a coach from the 80s no thank you
December 2nd, 2024 at 8:44 am
Bucs players are dragging the team across the finish line, just barely, in too many games. Bowles seems like a great guy, but he’s not a great HC. If Belichick can co-exist with Licht and Coen, no chance he wouldn’t improve the win total, especially in close games where excellent in-game decision making is paramount.
I do worry Bowles will just barely win enough games to keep the Glazers frozen.
December 2nd, 2024 at 8:54 am
Only if we can keep Coen.
December 2nd, 2024 at 8:59 am
RamblingRhino has it right
December 2nd, 2024 at 9:08 am
I think that, just as the saying goes that you win games with offense, but you win championships with defense, it’s also true that you can win championships with an offense-minded head coach, but you can build a dynasty with the right defensive-minded head coach–and I think that’s what the Glazers are after, finding the right defensive-minded head coach to build a dynasty with. It wasn’t wrong to give Bowles that opportunity, and I think we shouldn’t pretend that he’s been awful. For a defensive HC, he’s done pretty well in this league. But if you’re really looking to build that dynasty, I don’t think Bowles is the guy to build it with. Building a championship-caliber team is tough sledding for any head coach, but that sledding is more uphill for a defensive HC for a lot of the reasons that the Joes have mentioned over the years that are such common traits of defensive coaches, like conservative game management, ignoring the offensive personnel (or, conversely, trying to dictate offensive philosophy, etc.).
I do think the best fit for building a dynasty is a defensive-minded HC. Mike Tomlin and Bill Belichick are great examples, but head coaches from that side of the ball that are well-rounded, talented enough, and well-connected enough to put the right staff together to pull all that off are extremely rare cats. Bowles isn’t a bad head coach at all. If we want to win more games than we lose overall, we could do a lot worse (and, lest we forget, we HAVE done a lot worse, even with head coaches from the offensive side of the ball). But Bowles isn’t one of those rare cats that can build a dynasty–and there’s no shame in that.
But here’s the biggest fly in the ointment for getting Belichick: he’s going to want full control over the front office, too, so are the Glazers willing to let go of Licht to get Belichick? I sure wouldn’t, and I sincerely hope the Glazers would consider losing Licht a non-starter, as well.
So, I think the Glazers have the right philosophy. They just haven’t found the right guy for the job yet.
December 2nd, 2024 at 9:12 am
If Bowles is retained as head coach next year it is 100% thanks to Coen. They needed one win against Atlanta just one and this weak schedule looks very different. Bowles will still shat himself, this defense isn’t suddenly going to wake up in the postseason and it wasn’t this bad last year
December 2nd, 2024 at 9:20 am
Bowles getting a lifetime extension after a Super Bowl victory!
December 2nd, 2024 at 9:23 am
I’m not defending Bowles but I will say last season we had a 4 game losing streak and his team never folded. If the Bucs do it again Bowles will be back and honestly that’s a good look for him. 2 seasons in a row the Bucs with their backs against the wall make it happen. Shows his players believe in him but but but I just can’t watch this defense anymore it’s so bad and makes me so angry. It’s like Mike smith and lovie showed up to coach our defense and now it’s so bad it’s rubbed off on the offense they played like trash yesterday. Idk if I can watch this defense next year and have any hair left
December 2nd, 2024 at 10:26 am
The defense is soft and predictable. There seem to be few adjustments during the games or throughout the season. It’s not the NFL, but I was impressed how the Gators D made some adjustments and the defense turned around. Todd B just seems to have one playbook. The rushing lanes don’t change much.
December 2nd, 2024 at 10:33 am
…and isn’t our GM from the Patriots?
December 2nd, 2024 at 10:47 am
I don’t see it happening – I think it’s just dot-connecting (i.e. potential vacancy if the Bucs don’t play up to their talent level, and historical connection with Jason Licht).
The reason I don’t see it happening – Belichick has historically wanted to act as a quasi-GM as well as HC. I don’t see Jason Licht wanting to risk Belichick encroaching on his GM duties, nor do I see the Glazers wanting to piss off Licht by doing so either.
December 2nd, 2024 at 10:49 am
I’m probably a bit more familiar with Belichick than most.
Pros:
Belichick is a defensive genius, a cut above any HC or DC.
Belichick has worked with Licht before.
Belichick doesn’t make many in-game mistakes.
If Belichick is allowed to have a voice in personnel decisions, he will blunder on Day 1 and Day 2 of the draft. His Day 3 and UDFA decisions are excellent. Just lock him out and don’t take his calls on the first two days.
Cons:
His ego is bigger than the Raymond James Stadium. When Bill makes a mistake, the root cause tends to be ego-driven.
He’s stubborn and prone to hubris.
Though Licht is a good GM, Bill is very heavy-handed when it comes to the draft. It won’t be easy for any GM to coexist with him.
He’s first and foremost a DC-turned-HC. I think it could work with Baker, but make no mistake, it was Brady on offense.
Is he an upgrade to Bowles? YES!
Is he who you want as a HC? Sure, I think if he is given a strong OC (not Matt Patricia or Joe Judge ego-strokers) it can work out. But to state the obvious, it will only be for 3 seasons max. He wants Shula’s record (who he dislikes) and he’d love to prove that he can win a Super Bowl as HC without Brady.
Again, it will be at the most a 3 season run, if even that. I’m sure Tampa Bay is on the short-list, the core team is very good. I doubt he’ll want Jacksonville, Cleveland, Carolina, Jets (he hates them) or his first love, the NY Giants. He’s going to want a team with a quality, starting QB and good personnel. His legacy took a huge hit after Brady left, and I doubt he has the patience for a rebuild. His preferred rehab job will be in Tampa Bay, Chicago, or even Dallas, providing that he and the jerk owner can coexist.
December 2nd, 2024 at 11:11 am
Tough call with Bill but I have no doubt he would be an upgrade over Todd. His game prep, specifically defensive game plan and then in game management is far superior to Bowles.
I want an offensive guy though, that’s the main issue unless you know you can retain Coen as a highly paid OC ala Ben Johnson for a few years. If Belichick Vrabel or Saleh wanted to run the D and only the D for a chance at a ring in the next 2 years that would be great.