Bill Belichick to the Giants?
In most ways, it is a perfect fit.
As one of their “bold predictions” for 2018, ESPN predicted Belichick will return to the Giants to take their vacant head coaching job.
Even though most Giants’ fans would sing off on the deal in a New York minute, Belichick likely will finish his career with New England.
Rumors of a rift between him and Tom Brady recently surfaced mainly over Brady’s personal trainer and business partner Alex Guerrero., who did not make the trip with Brady to Pittsburgh last weekend.
Some of Guerrero’s practices have come from Belichick, who has not allowed him into the Patriots’ facility. The rift apparently began to surface when the Patriots traded backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to San Francisco six weeks ago, and it has heightened since then.
“I don’t have any comment [on the rumor], other than to say Alex has been a huge part of what I do and I’m so fortunate to have him not only as a friend, but with everything we’ve been able to do together,” said Brady during an interview on Boston station WEEI last week. “Alex has been a huge, huge reason why I’m still playing.”
Belichick, who served as defensive coordinator under Bill Parcells, apparently still has a fondness for the Giants, and he could pick the team’s next franchise quarterback if they choose to go that route.
New general manager Dave Gettleman said he wanted a coach with “intelligence and leadership” and he would be” the CEO of the team.”
Who else would fit better than Belichick?
He also could quickly the team and coach for two or three years before either retiring or moving into the front office. In the NFL documentary, “A Football Life,” Belichick, 66, stated that he didn’t want to coach past the age of 70.
If the Giants don’t have a new coach in place by the Super Bowl, the rumor could intensify should New England win the Super Bowl.
Belichick could ride off into the sunset taking Route 95 South to the Meadowlands.
Even though the Belichick rumor likely is a longshot, Patriots’ offensive coordinator Josh McDaniel coming to take over the Giants continues to gain momentum.
His name immediately surfaced when former head coach Ben McAdoo roughly was fired a month ago.
Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks also has emerged as a front runner, having former ties with Gettleman in Carolina.
Aside from McDaniel, who struggled in a stint with the Broncos, other candidates apparently in the mix are Falcons defensive coordinator and former coach Mike Smith; Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley, who had a run with the Chiefs; Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, a former Lions’ head coach; Lions’ defensive coordinator Teryl Austin; and Chiefs special teams coach Dave Toub.