Report: Falcons owner desperately wants Belichick

The Atlanta Falcons have several head coach candidates on their radar, but team owner Arthur Blank has seemingly already decided who his main target is.

Blank desperately wants Bill Belichick to be Atlanta's next head coach, a source told CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones.

There's a "50-50" chance Belichick accepts the job, Jones reports.

The Falcons are the only team that has publicly expressed interest in Belichick since the legendary coach parted ways with the New England Patriots after 24 seasons and six Super Bowl titles. Atlanta interviewed the 71-year-old for a second time Thursday.

The NFC South team reportedly is also expected to meet with Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh for a second time. Other names who have generated interest include former Tennessee Titans sideline boss Mike Vrabel, Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, and Buffalo Bills interim offensive coordinator Joe Brady, among others. The Falcons have requested initial interviews with those candidates, Jones adds.

Atlanta has been looking for a new head coach to replace Arthur Smith, who was fired after leading the team to three straight 7-10 seasons.

Belichick owns a career 333-178 record, including the playoffs. He's 15 wins away from becoming the NFL's all-time winningest head coach. Though Belichick's defenses in New England were solid, the Patriots are coming off back-to-back losing seasons. They went just 4-13 in 2023.

Whoever takes over in Atlanta will inherit a team with an above-average defense but with big questions on offense, particularly at quarterback. The Falcons have had three different Week 1 starters since 2021 in Matt Ryan, Marcus Mariota, and Desmond Ridder.