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NFL Rumors: ‘Known Secret’ That Giants Owner John Mara ‘Loves Bill Belichick’ | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumors

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - DECEMBER 17: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick looks on after his team's 27-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

If the New York Giants decide to make a change at head coach after this season, Bill Belichick could be someone to watch due to team owner John Mara’s feelings about the future Hall of Famer.

According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, it’s a “known secret” around the NFL that Mara “loves Belichick,” stemming from his tenure as an assistant on the Giants’ coaching staff from 1980 to ’90.

Belichick appears to be positioning himself to at least get head coaching interviews during the next hiring cycle after this season. He stays in the game by working in the media with weekly appearances The Pat McAfee Show and frequent guest spots on the Manningcast as part of ESPN’s Monday Night Football coverage.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on September 8 that Belichick wants to coach in 2025, but will likely be “choosy” about which job he takes.

The Atlanta Falcons were the only team with a coaching vacancy last season that interviewed Belichick twice. They ultimately decided to hire Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris.

There were teams considering adding Belichick to their staff, with Schefter mentioning the Rams and San Francisco 49ers as clubs that were at least considering him as their defensive coordinator.

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged he offered Belichick a job, but the 72-year-old turned him down.

Russini did note that the Giants’ current organizational structure leaves some around the league skeptical that Belichick would take the job if it were offered to him.

Another complicating factor is that Mara said this week that he doesn’t expect any changes involving head coach Brian Daboll or general manager Joe Schoen to occur during the season or offseason.

Taking that at face value feels a little silly right now, considering the Giants still have 10 games left this season. They are off to a 2-5 start with an offense that ranks 30th in the NFL in points per game (14.1).

One encouraging sign is that the defense has been respectable. They rank 12th in points allowed per game (21.3) thanks to a defensive line led by Dexter Lawrence and Brian Burns. They could be even better when Kayvon Thibodeaux returns from injured reserve after wrist surgery, possibly as soon as Week 10.

Considering that Belichick’s strength as a coach is on the defensive side of the ball, putting him among that group of pass rushers could make the Giants a lot more interesting soon.

The Giants appear to have hit on Malik Nabers, so they just need to find competent quarterback play to potentially become a playoff contender in the NFC next season.

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