Insider offers update on Bill Belichick, Cowboys rumors

Numerous NFL reporters and analysts said that even before New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft parted ways with legendary head coach Bill Belichick after the 2023 season, Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones would eventually view Belichick as a long-term replacement for current coach Mike McCarthy.

During ESPN's "Monday Night Countdown" program that aired before the Cowboys fell to 3-7 on the season via a 34-10 loss to the Houston Texans, insider Adam Schefter mentioned that "people across the league" continue to believe "Belichick will be one of the top considerations for Jerry Jones" following the campaign. 

"It can be confirmed Bill Belichick was in Dallas last week, but it wasn't to meet with the Cowboys," Schefter revealed, as Bleacher Report's Scott Polacek shared. "It was for a previously scheduled speaking engagement." 

McCarthy remains in the final season of his contract as a Cowboys side that will be without injured starting quarterback Dak Prescott for the remainder of the campaign limps toward Week 18. Former Dallas quarterback and Hall of Famer Troy Aikman acknowledged during ESPN's broadcast of Monday's blowout that "it’s hard to imagine" Jones will give McCarthy a new deal considering all that's gone wrong for the Cowboys since September.

Meanwhile, a report from this past January claimed that the Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles "expressed interest in Belichick" after those clubs finished their 2023 campaigns but "decided to stick with their current coaches" after he "didn’t reciprocate." The 72-year-old is serving as a media personality for multiple outlets this season. Still, it is expected to return to the sidelines next year largely because he's only 15 wins away from setting an NFL record for career victories earned by a head coach (regular season and playoffs combined).

Jones could have some competition regarding Belichick's services, as Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan is expected to reach out to the six-time Super Bowl champion head coach. This assumes Khan parts ways with Doug Pederson between this week and the league's "Black Monday" in January 2025. As recently as this past Sunday, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio noted that Belichick and current Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke worked together earlier in their careers. 

With all of that said, some think Jones could target a younger candidate, such as former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel. Vrabel, 49, is a consultant for the Cleveland Browns but could finish the season as their interim head coach.  

For now, McCarthy will focus on the Cowboys trying to end their five-game losing streak when they play at the 7-4 Washington Commanders this coming Sunday. As of Tuesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed Dallas as a 10.5-point underdog for that contest.