Why Tom Brady is a reason teams passed on hiring Bill Belichick

There's more information about why teams such as the Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders passed on hiring former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick this winter. 

NFL insider Jeff Howe of The Athletic shared in a lengthy story published on Friday that "numerous league sources" said that "Belichick’s mishandling of the Patriots' quarterback situation in recent years, his desire to maintain total control of football operations and a growing concern over the coach’s ability to relate to this generation of players" are "primary reasons" for why the 71-year-old is unemployed heading into the first weekend of February. 

"At quarterback, people around the league still don’t understand how Belichick could let Tom Brady leave in free agency, but the lack of a succession plan was nearly as perplexing," Howe continued. "Belichick went the budget route with Cam Newton in 2020 and drafted Mac Jones in the first round in 2021 but failed to develop him by virtually every measurable degree." 

It was recently reported that Belichick "never truly believed Brady would leave" the Patriots after the 2019 season. Brady ultimately signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in March 2020 and then won a Super Bowl with that club the following February, while Belichick missed the playoffs three times in four years without TB12 before Patriots owner Robert Kraft decided a change was needed. 

Tom Brady Sr. revealed earlier this week that Kraft now views letting Brady reach free agency as a "mistake." 

Of course, there are other reasons Belichick won't find a coaching job this offseason unless he receives a call from the Kansas City Chiefs later this month. 

Howe wrote that "sources close to Belichick also cited a frosty relationship with Falcons president Rich McKay as a primary reason the parties might have decided they could or should not work together." 

The Falcons ultimately hired Raheem Morris instead of Belichick. 

Additionally, Howe mentioned that some teams "were concerned Belichick would overhaul the leadership structure and the order of command." That's interesting considering Belichick hinted after Week 18 of this season he'd relinquish some power regarding personnel and draft decisions to either stay with New England or join a different team. 

While it has been reported that the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants could all target Belichick next January, the information in Howe's story suggests individuals within the NFL simply believe the six-time Super Bowl champion head coach is no longer a fit in the modern league.