If Bill Belichick could have said, “We’re on to Cincinnati,” he would have.
During Monday’s weekly guest spot on the “Pat McAfee Show,” Belichick told the host that he would not answer any questions about his coaching future after one was presented.
“Pat, alright, so, you and I had this agreement that this question wouldn’t be asked of me when I came on the ‘Pat McAfee Show,’” Belichick said while laughing.
“You had [Darius Butler] toss it out there and I know you’re a man of your word …. So I’m going to have to go back into my press conference mode and say, we’re just trying to focus on the next day. I’m just trying to focus on doing a good job on the ‘Pat McAfee Show.’”
Belichick departed from the Patriots after 24 seasons where he won six Super Bowls.
His run came to an end when he was fired after the team went 4-13 last season.
Belichick talked with several teams about taking over as their head coach, including two interview with the the Atlanta Falcons in which he appeared the frontrunner.
Belichick, though, was snubbed by the Falcons in favor of then-Rams assistant Raheem Morris.
When the NFL coaching jobs dried up, Belichick landed a handful of media gigs.
The 72-year-old has been doing podcasts and weekly television appearance, including spots on McAfee and the “ManningCast” during “Monday Night Football.”
While discussing Belichick’s future, McAfee explained that ESPN reporter Adam Schefter had brought up his name when discussing potential head coaching openings.
“So ask Adam then,” Belichick said during the show appearance.
Prior to Belichick coming on the show, Schefter alluded to the fact that teams could elect to get a jump start on talking to Belichick and ex-Titans coach Mike Vrabel around Thanksgiving.
“What’s going to be interesting to me here is with so many good coaches on the sideline, Bill Belichick, Mike Vrabel, some experienced guys. Are there going to be teams that speed up the look around Thanksgiving to get a jump on talking to some of these guys?” Schefter said. “You can talk to Belichick today … you can talk to Pete Carroll today.”
Two teams have already changed coaches this season.
The New Orleans Saints fired head coach Dennis Allen on Monday and The Jets axed Robert Saleh earlier this season, though Belichick is an unlikely fit for them given the acrimonious history that exists between the coach and the franchise.
Schefter also mentioned that Bears coach Matt Eberflus could be on the hot seat as the Bears continue to flounder despite a talented roster around rookie quarterback Caleb Williams.
Belichick has displayed a laid-back personality in his new-found media career that will likely be cast away if he returns to the coaching ranks.
During press conferences in New England, Belichick was known for clipped responses, infamously saying, “We’re on to [insert city]” when asked at press conferences after games.
Belichick accumulated 337 career wins as a head coach, just 14 wins behind Don Shula for the all-time record.
