Can Magic Johnson-Owned Commanders Steal Bill Belichick From Patriots’ Dugout After 23 Years?

Washington Commanders‘ co-owner Magic Johnson was disappointed with the team’s performance after their week 7 loss against the New York Giants. He seemingly aimed a jab towards head coach Ron Rivera and his coaching staff. The team has continued their losing streak with their recent showdown against the Eagles, further indicating Rivera’s incapability in handling the side. But long before he had any connection with the NFL, Johnson was a fan of the Patriots‘ Bill Belichick. He congratulated the latter on his 300th combined win in the league. Does all of this hint towards something?

One renowned NFL analyst has recently dropped the bombshell talking to a broadcast. The trade deadline is over, and soon it could be the same for Bill Belichick’s Patriots dynasty, described the analyst. It looks like Magic Johnson’s ‘magic’ could delight the Commanders before the next season begins.

Magic Johnson and co-owners planning a BIG move

Johnson co-invested in the Commanders following the arrival of the new owner Josh Harris earlier this year. But the time has not been smooth for the owners since taking over, as the franchise has lost more games than won, and sits in 3rd place of the NFC East. But things hit rock bottom when the team lost to 4th-placed division rivals New York Giants. While Harris silently took notes planning further moves, Johnson did not hold back his disappointment on social media. He uploaded a post on X (formerly, Twitter) insisting the team could have barely won by scoring a meagre 7 points in the game.

Johnson visited the team’s training camp days before the match, trying to motivate the squad. He talked with the players and head coach Ron Rivera, but all seemed to have gone in vain as Rivera failed to imply the magic mentality in his squad. A bye week following the loss, and the Commanders were back at it. Despite leading the mighty Eagles in the first two quarters, the Commanders bottled it in the following two, inviting their 5th loss of the season.

It really has started to look like the team needs some fresh names, and even the management needs a makeover. Harris has already taken the first steps in his ever-unapologetic manner, by trading the 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year Chase Young, and fellow DE Montez Sweat. But what about the second part? Who exits the door from management’s end? And more importantly, who is Johnson-Harris planning to bring in if Ron Rivera is relieved of his duties?

Looks like Johnson certainly has his backup ready. Despite not talking about it directly, Johnson had expressed his admiration for none other than the NFL GOAT Bill Belichick. It was evident when the NBA Hall of Famer congratulated the Patriots’ legend in 2019 on achieving his 300th win in the league, including post-seasons.

One could easily diminish this admiration by calling it a far-fetched idea. After all, it’s been more than four years since we last heard Johnson mention Belichick in any kind of conversation. But is that the case? Based on the word of NFL analyst Mike Florio, the owners’ have a solid game plan amid the Commanders’ struggle.

Magic Johnson and Josh Harris potentially have Bill Belichick on their radar

Talking to the Rich Eisen show, Pro Football Talk’s Florio linked the Patriots head coach with the Commanders, quite unexpectedly. “This is Josh Harris, I think, recognizing that the reset button is going to be pressed at the end of the season. The Commanders aren’t winning. I suspect Ron Rivera very much would have liked to have Chase Young and Montez Sweat on the roster for the rest of the year to try and turn this around and get the seventh seed and save his job, but Josh Harris recognizing changes are afoot for the Commanders.” He explained that the trades could be an early indication of Harris’s further plans to revive the franchise.

“I suspect it’s going to get blown up after the season, and this is the most tangible sign yet that Josh Harris is eyeballing a future that will be crafted in whatever the owner of the team decides to do by way of team president, team general manager, and head coach. There’s a little chatter out there about a possible trade of Bill Belichick”, Florio teased the blockbuster move, concluding his theory.

Read More: “Rest in Peace”: Washington Commanders’ Magic Johnson Mourns the Demise of Bobby Knight; Revisits Recruitment Memories

Belichick himself hasn’t been enjoying a better season either. The 6x Super Bowl champs are dead last in the AFC East after losing 6 games out of 8. Things can take a comical twist on Sunday if they manage to edge past the Commanders themselves. Johnson and Harris would hate and love the outcome simultaneously, as it may clear the clutter for them on their next destination. Belichick’s next win could seal the legend’s future with the Patriots.

The Patriots have landed in Zugzwang as Belichick could unknowingly end his 23-year-old dynasty with a win over the Commanders, on November 5.

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