Report: Belichick reached out to Jets about coaching vacancy
Bill Belichick personally reached out to the New York Jets a few weeks ago to express interest in their head coaching vacancy before taking the UNC job, a source told Brian Costello of the New York Post.
The two parties didn't meet or have a formal conversation, Costello adds.
Belichick was supposed to be New York's head coach after Bill Parcells stepped down following the 1999 season. He famously rejected the role by writing on a napkin "I resign as HC of the NYJ" just one day after the team announced his promotion. Belichick would explain his reasoning at a press conference, stating issues with the incoming owner, Woody Johnson.
New England ultimately traded a first-round pick to New York for the rights to hire Belichick. He would go on to win 266 regular-season games as the Patriots' head coach, securing six Super Bowls during the 24-year tenure.
The Jets fired Robert Saleh just five games into the 2024 season and will begin a search for a permanent replacement after the year.
"That's kind of what it's been like with the Jets. Barely won over 30% (of games) in the last 10 years. The owner, being the owner. Just ready, fire, aim," Belichick said on ESPN's "Manningcast" after they dismissed Saleh, per Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post.
Belichick accepted the head coaching job at North Carolina earlier this week. NFL owners believe Belichick had generated almost no NFL interest for the 2025 coaching cycle, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.
The 3-10 Jets face off against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.