Bill Belichick’s days of chasing rings may not be over… On or off the field.
While the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach has kickstarted a successful media career since he was fired by the Patriots earlier this year, he has remained a name that has been associated with potential head coaching job opportunities around the NFL.
The Jets’ decision to fire Robert Saleh this week and the struggles of the Cowboys have had people trying to connect the dots from Belichick to either football team, but there may be one major factor that impacts any decision to jump back into coaching.
The Daily Mail reported on Monday that Belichick has found himself in a “bit of a crossroads” in his life thanks to his relationship with 23-year-old Jordon Hudson.
“There is still a drive to coach again and break the wins record, but his life now isn’t that bad as he has been enjoying doing TV and absolutely enjoying his relationship with his girlfriend Jordon that is blossoming into something that is going to lead to marriage,” a source told the outlet. “He wants to be with her all of the time, but she is pushing him to see the options that he will have for next season because she knows that makes him happy.”
Additionally, it appears Belichick will be making any potential decision to take up coaching again with his girlfriend’s happiness in mind because the 72-year-old “wants her to be happy with any decision he is meant to make on any offers he will be given.”
Belichick is 14 wins behind Don Shula’s record 347.
Belichick’s relationship with Hudson first became public in June and the two have become more open about it since then.
Belichick remains a sought-after coach and is likely to be in the conversation for any vacant job that comes open this upcoming offseason.
Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy has been on the hot seat for some time and is feeling increasing pressure after an embarrassing loss on Sunday to the Lions, which owner Jerry Jones described as both “humbling” and “very concerning.”
Jones insisted on Sunday that he hadn’t been considering a coaching change.
However, the report from the Daily Mail indicated that the Cowboys’ job would be Belichick’s to turn down if Jones did decide to part ways with McCarthy at some point, though it doesn’t seem like the former Pats coach is too eager to pack his bags for Texas.
The report suggested that a job offer from the Cowboys may serve as better leverage for a job that he would rather take when the time comes.
For now, Belichick has enjoyed becoming a media darling making appearances across shows on ESPN and his podcast with gaming company Underdog Fantasy.