The Buffalo Bills are leaving no stone unturned in their search for a new head coach - but one name you won’t find on their radar is Bill Belichick.
According to a source familiar with the process, the Bills have no interest in bringing in the six-time Super Bowl champion who once dominated their division with the Patriots. That’s a notable omission, especially considering the team is reportedly exploring unconventional options, including former players with no head coaching experience at the NFL level.
At first glance, it might seem surprising. Belichick’s résumé is unmatched, and his football IQ is still widely respected. But dig a little deeper, and the reasons for his absence from Buffalo’s list start to make sense - and they’re the same reasons he hasn’t been a serious candidate elsewhere this offseason.
Belichick’s recent history has raised more than a few eyebrows around the league. His time in North Carolina over the past year brought a string of off-field distractions that didn’t sit well with NFL front offices. Add to that his public friction with his longtime employer in New England, and you start to understand why some owners view him as a potential lightning rod for controversy rather than a stabilizing force.
There’s also the matter of control. Belichick has long been known for wanting full command of football operations, and that can be a tough sell for franchises with established front office structures.
Bringing in Belichick isn’t just hiring a head coach - it’s often a full-scale regime change. That reportedly played a major role in why the Falcons passed on him in 2024 after his departure from the Patriots.
Concerns about him cleaning house and bringing in his own loyalists - like longtime associate Michael Lombardi - have made teams think twice.
So here we are: three full hiring cycles since Belichick’s exit from New England, and just one formal interview to show for it. For a coach who once seemed destined to chase down Don Shula’s all-time wins record, the silence has been deafening. And with Andy Reid still adding to his own legacy, that window might be closing faster than anyone expected.
For now, the Bills continue their search, looking toward the future - and leaving one of the most decorated coaches in NFL history firmly in the past.