Bill Belichick’s move into NFL media was not on most folks’ 2024 bingo card given his prickly past with reporters, and the seismic shift has rubbed some in the landscape the wrong way.
In a recent column for Athlon Sports, Andrew Perloff of the “Maggie and Perloff Show” called Belichick a “hypocrite” over his pivot into television, which includes opportunities on “Inside the NFL,” ESPN’s “ManningCast” and spots on “The Pat McAfee Show.”
“Networks have to stop hiring Bill Belichick,” Perloff wrote. “Someone who openly mocked the media for two decades as head coach of the New England Patriots shouldn’t be able to walk right in and get multiple media jobs. He never said anything useful as an NFL coach and now he’s going to get paid talk? As brilliant as Belichick is, find someone else.”
Belichick, whose post-Patriots career and dalliances continue to dominate headlines, was widely known for his standoffish approach at the podium.
The coach’s now-10-year-old line, “We’re onto Cincinnati,” which he uttered repeatedly at a press conference, is forever part of his lore.
On other occasions, though, Belichick, 72, was more giving.
One instance that immediately comes to mind was from 2021, when Belichick was asked about roster building, long-snappers and specialists in the NFL and offered a roughly 10-minute response.
Belichick is certainly embracing new beginnings following his departure from the Patriots in January after 24 seasons.
Although Belichick interviewed for the Falcons’ head coaching vacancy, former Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris was hired instead.
Belichick later took part in ESPN’s coverage of the 2024 NFL Draft in April and dazzled during an appearance on the “NFL Greatest” series.
Belichick isn’t the only Patriots alum who has segued into broadcasting this year.
His former quarterback, seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady, will slide into the Fox Sports booth this fall as the network’s lead NFL analyst.
Brady, who will work alongside Kevin Burkhardt, signed with Fox in 2022 on a monster $375 million deal.
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