During the 2023 season, rumors were swirling about the potential of then-Patriots coach Bill Belichick joining the Commanders. The Commanders were quick to shut down these rumors, but as the regular season ended, it was reported that new owner Josh Harris was interested in Belichick as a coach, not someone fully in charge of the team. The Commanders once again denied any consideration of Belichick.
However, on the day the Commanders hired Dan Quinn as their coach, reports surfaced that Belichick was indeed considered for the job and had support from some decision makers. The Commanders will likely continue to deny these reports, but the interest in Belichick seemed to be there.
The potential hiring of Belichick would have been complicated, as the Commanders were committed to a strong-G.M. model and Belichick would have been working under new G.M. Adam Peters. The dynamics of this relationship would have been delicate at best and dysfunctional at worst.
While the Commanders may claim that Quinn was their first choice all along, their pursuit of other candidates and the strong denial of any connection to Belichick suggest otherwise.
As for Belichick, the future may still hold opportunities for him to join the Commanders or another team in the NFC East. With historic ties to the Patriots and a reputation as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, Belichick remains a perennial topic of speculation and interest. Whether or not he ends up with the Commanders, the possibility of facing off against him twice per year is a real one for the team in the near future.
