Bill Belichick reportedly wants to return to coaching in 2025 after a season as an NFL analyst

On By Littum

Bill Belichick has spent a lot of time talking into a microphone about football this season, but he’s aiming higher for next year.

According to The Athletic, Belichick wants to return to coaching in 2025.

“Coaching is in his blood. He wants this,” said one person close to Belichick Athletics over text.

It’s no surprise that one of the most successful head coaches of all time isn’t ready to hang up his headset, even at 72 years old. Belichick spent 24 largely successful years with the New England Patriots, coaching the Tom Brady-led team to six Super Bowl trophies, nine conference championships and 30 individual playoff victories. It was a dynasty that ended abruptly in 2020 when Brady chose to take his talents to Tampa Bay, though Belichick didn’t part ways with the Patriots until January 2024.

Belichick was looking for another head coaching job for the 2024 season, and despite several openings, he didn’t get far with any of them. So he’s spent the last several months appearing on every football show and podcast you can think of, though his biggest appearances have been on ESPN. He has been on Pat McAfee’s ESPN show once a week and has appeared regularly on the Manningcast during “Monday Night Football.”

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 16: NFL analyst Bill Belichick looks on during the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Atlanta Falcons on September 15, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 16: NFL analyst Bill Belichick looks on during the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Atlanta Falcons on September 15, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. (Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

To no one’s surprise, Bill Belichick reportedly wants to return to coaching in 2025. (Photo by Andy Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Belichick’s explosion on the sports media landscape is reportedly part of his strategy to land another head coaching job next season. By remaining front and center, no one will forget him and no one can accuse him of letting the game pass him by.

As for where Belichick ends up, it’s more complicated than a good coach + needy team = success. Belichick was both coach and general manager of the Patriots. Every football decision on that team flowed through him. That model has fallen out of style over the past decade, and it may be why Belichick didn’t get a job last season. Plus, he’s 72. He wants to work out now, but will he when he’s 80? Will he take on a team that needs that kind of long-term commitment to see success?

The only person who knows the answer to these questions is Belichick. And knowing him, he probably won’t let anything slide until he’s made up his mind and everyone’s moved on. That’s the Belichick way.