Could Bill Belichick Return to Cleveland? The Rumors, the Reality, and the Risk
It’s been nearly three decades since Bill Belichick walked the sidelines in Cleveland, and for some Browns fans, the memory still stings. His first stint as a head coach came with hard decisions - none bigger than cutting hometown hero Bernie Kosar in 1993 - and it ended with the franchise packing up for Baltimore, leaving a 37-45 record and plenty of bitterness in its wake.
But time has a way of softening even the deepest football wounds. In 2025, with the Browns staring down the barrel of another potential coaching change, the name Belichick doesn’t carry the same baggage it once did. In fact, it’s starting to sound like a possibility - maybe even a tempting one.
Belichick is now 73 and coaching the North Carolina Tar Heels, a surprising turn for a man who helped build one of the greatest dynasties in NFL history. He’s publicly committed to his college gig - even releasing a statement in November to shut down rumors about a return to the NFL with the New York Giants - but let’s be honest: if the right opportunity presents itself, it’s hard to believe he wouldn’t at least listen.
Why? One number: 333.
That’s how many career wins Belichick has. He’s just 15 shy of Don Shula’s all-time record.
For a coach who lives and breathes football history, that milestone isn’t just a stat - it’s a legacy-defining target. And while he’s not saying much publicly, you can bet it’s on his mind.
According to insider Josina Anderson, at least two NFL teams are already exploring the idea of bringing Belichick back in 2026. She didn’t name names, but she did mention that Belichick still has supporters in high places in Atlanta, New York, and yes - Cleveland.
Now, let’s be clear: the Browns haven’t made any moves yet. Kevin Stefanski is still the head coach, and his future likely won’t be decided until the season wraps. But Anderson’s report suggests there’s still a level of respect for Belichick inside the Browns’ building - a fondness that hasn’t faded with time.
A Return to Cleveland? It’s Not That Far-Fetched
The idea of Belichick finishing his career where it started - and possibly breaking Shula’s record in a Browns hoodie - is the kind of full-circle story that would make NFL Films salivate. And from a football perspective, it’s not as far-fetched as it sounds.
Cleveland boasts one of the most talented defensive rosters in the league. Myles Garrett is playing at a level few edge rushers have ever reached, and Belichick - who still tells stories about coaching Lawrence Taylor - would relish the chance to work with a player chasing that same level of dominance. Add in Denzel Ward and Carson Schwesinger, and you’ve got a defense tailor-made for Belichick’s scheming brilliance.
He’d also be a godsend for Cleveland’s special teams, which have been a sore spot for years. If there’s one thing Belichick has always excelled at - besides defense - it’s the third phase of the game. He could fix that unit overnight.
But Then There’s the Offense… and the Quarterback Question
Here’s where things get tricky - and why the Browns should tread carefully.
Since Tom Brady’s departure in 2020, Belichick’s track record with quarterbacks and offensive roster building has been, frankly, rough. He cycled through Cam Newton, Brian Hoyer, Mac Jones, and Bailey Zappe in New England, with just one playoff appearance and a 29-38 record to show for it. The Patriots' offense stalled, and Belichick’s personnel decisions - particularly in the draft - left the team stuck in neutral.
That should set off alarm bells in Cleveland, where the quarterback situation remains one of the league’s most complicated. The Browns are still navigating the fallout of Deshaun Watson’s massive contract, while also trying to develop a promising 2025 draft class and prepare for what could be a pivotal 2026 with 10 projected draft picks.
In other words, this is a franchise at a crossroads - and most of those decisions are on the offensive side of the ball. That’s not exactly Belichick’s sweet spot.
The Verdict: Tempting, But Tread Carefully
There’s no denying the allure of bringing Belichick back to Cleveland. The storylines write themselves.
The defensive fit is obvious. And let’s face it - the man still commands respect, even if NFL owners have been hesitant to pick up the phone.
But the Browns need to ask themselves a tough question: is Belichick the right coach for this team, at this time?
If you’re building around defense and special teams, maybe. But if the next few years hinge on solving the quarterback puzzle and maximizing offensive potential, then history tells us Belichick might not be the answer.
He’s a legend. He’s a winner.
He’s a football mind unlike any other. But in Cleveland, where the future depends on getting the offense right, the Browns would be wise to think long and hard before making a move that’s more about the past than the path forward.