Expert names potential biggest NFL winner in Bill Belichick’s move to college

Bill Belichick will be wearing a headset once again in 2025. Not even one full season removed from his time coaching in the NFL, Belichick finds himself casting off his happy-go-lucky media persona back on the sideline as the new coach of North Carolina.

Speaking to the press this week, Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy commented on Belichick's new job in a clip provided by "Pro Football Talk" on Thursday.

"I couldn't imagine, you know, what (college is) like now, especially with all the changes," McCarthy said (0:55). "But congratulations. I'm happy for him."

NFL analyst Mike Florio then talked about why McCarthy was happy about Belichick's hiring.

"Yeah, one less guy to worry about coming in and taking his job in Dallas," Florio said.

With Belichick off the board, McCarthy becomes the biggest potential publicly known veteran coaching candidate that could be available in January. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has dragged his feet in committing to the coach, allowing his contract to wind down to mere weeks.

Exploring potential coaching candidates with Bill Belichick off the board

Bill Belichick at New England Patriots Press Conference - Source: Getty

There are close to half a dozen teams that either have pulled the trigger or could be poised to do so at any moment as their seasons wind down. However, there are many more coaching candidates than positions available so candidates will still be left out in the cold even without Bill Belichick in the picture.

If Mike McCarthy were to be released by the Dallas Cowboys, he most likely would be the name at the top of the pecking order considering his body of recent work with 12 wins in three of the last four years. However, he wouldn't be the only one worth consideration.

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson has received some buzz as perhaps the top rookie coach option for 2025. It would take prying him away from the most dominant Lions team in decades, but teams in need have every reason to call.

Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has also received some attention recently as the Broncos continue to march toward their first playoff spot since before he started as the team's head coach in 2017.

Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who has followed up a disappointing run with the Cardinals with a solid job on Jayden Daniels, gives teams a veteran option.

With only a handful of jobs available, Belichick coming off the board may force teams to pick some new names, but that doesn't mean they are automatically hopeless.