LAS VEGAS — It’s strange enough to have a Super Bowl without Bill Belichick on the sidelines.
A full NFL season without Belichick?
It sounds crazy, but it sounds like reality in 2024 after Belichick parted ways with the Patriots and was not hired for any of the other seven head coaching vacancies.
Belichick, who has appeared in 11 Super Bowls as a head coach or coordinator, interviewed exclusively with the Falcons.
“He’s not gotten any younger after a year,” NFL Today analyst Bill Cowher said Tuesday during Super Bowl III. “This is a youth game. Let’s face it. You’re always trying to get a young infusion. What we saw in Houston with DeMeco [Ryans]We’re all looking for that instant thing, a combination of a young quarterback and a young head coach, like a young Bill Belichick and a young Tom Brady. ”
Cowher, now 66, retired from the Steelers after the 2006 season.
Belichick, 72, is closing in on the NFL’s all-time wins record and would still be a “huge asset,” Cowher said.
Fellow CBS analyst Boomer Esiason told WFAN’s “Boomer & Geo” this week that he was told by an NFL executive that Belichick turned down the Falcons’ offer.
But Esiason isn’t surprised it didn’t work out.
“When he comes into a building, he wants the building,” Esiason said. “The owner has to say, ‘These people here are so incompetent that I have to get them out, so you can own the whole building.'” The Falcons They have a pretty good building – they have a pretty good draft. The only thing they lack is a top-end quarterback. ”
So where is the best fit for Belichick?
“Even if Bill didn’t get what he wanted, he wasn’t going to take a job just to get a job,” Esiason said. “I think it has to be a traditional team…that’s not going to win. That’s not the Cowboys.”
Is that a subtle suggestion by the Giants?
“That’s not what I’m saying,” Esiason said. “I love Brian Daboll. I hope he does well.”
Great use of blocks
Chase Young, the 49ers’ trade deadline addition, believes Super Bowl LVIII defines the quarterback’s greatness.
“I think Brock Purdy is the best quarterback in the league,” Young said.
Isn’t it Mahomes? why?
“His numbers,” Young said.
Purdy, who led the NFL with 9.6 yards per pass attempt, is more often referred to as a “game manager” than “the best.” That’s not to say he doesn’t mind backhanded compliments.
“I take that as a compliment,” he said. “Mentally I think he’s doing the right things and obviously he’s capable enough to attack open guys and make plays.”
Chiefs LG has a “big chance”
Chiefs LG Joe Thuney (pectoral muscle) has a “very good chance” of practicing this week and playing on Sunday, head coach Andy Reid said. RB Jerick McKinnon is on injured reserve and has a “slim chance” of returning.
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan expects full participation in Wednesday’s practice, including tight end George Kittle.
More spag love
The love affair between Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and the players continued.
The Post first reported that Spagnuolo could become the first manager to win four Super Bowls as either an offensive or defensive coordinator.
“I think Spags should be in the Hall of Fame,” DT Chris Jones said. “Please look at his resume.”
