The Carolina Panthers could pursue Bill Belichick if he and the New England Patriots part ways at the end of the 2023 season.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that while Belichick is unlikely to be "outright fired" by owner Robert Kraft, the two sides are likely to discuss a split in the coming days. New England sits at 4-12 heading into Sunday's season finale against the New York Jets and will miss the playoffs for the third time in four years.
"No one has any idea of what's going to happen. There's not a soul in the building that does," one Patriots staffer told Mike Reiss of ESPN.
The Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders have been speculated about as potential suitors for Belichick but are not currently expected to seriously pursue the 71-year-old coach. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported new Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris is "enamored" with the idea of Belichick coaching the team.
It would not be a surprise for the Panthers to pursue a high-profile coach given owner David Tepper's desperation to build a winner. Tepper has fired three coaches in four years and jettisoned his most recent hire, Frank Reich, after just 11 games but has expressed a desire to find a long-term solution.
"Quite frankly, if I had my druthers, I'd like to have a coach here for 20 years or 30 years, you know, if I can do that. ... I do have patience," Tepper told reporters in November. "My reputation away from this game is one for extreme patience. Now, that patience comes with good performance and things (where) progress (is being) made. I would like to have somebody here for 20 years, 30 years. I'd like to have somebody that would say (a) eulogy at my funeral in 30 years. OK, maybe it's 40 years, I hope."
Given Belichick is already in his 70s, it's unlikely he'd be the person Tepper desires for a 20-year tenure. It's equally unlikely that Belichick would risk his legacy on a Panthers franchise with a hot-tempered owner, uninspiring roster, a lack of draft capital and concerns about quarterback Bryce Young.
There is no worse job for a head coach in the NFL and arguably few worse in professional sports at the moment. A coach with Belichick's resume is not taking this job, even if it comes with full control over every aspect of football operations.
If the Patriots do indeed move on from Belichick and he wants to continue coaching, he'll have significantly better options on the open market.
Belichick has spent the last 24 seasons in New England building the greatest coaching legacy in NFL history. He's won a record six Super Bowls, 17 division championships and went to a record eight straight conference championships during his tenure.
While the Patriots' performance in recent years has waned due in part to Belichick's own poor drafting, it's hard to imagine every team with a vacancy wouldn't at least kick the tires on bringing him in.
