“It would be better for each of [me and Mike McCarthy] to head in a different direction,” finally admitted Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on January 12. After months of denial—and a statement barely a week ago, where Jones called the HC “the best coaches that I think there is”—the Cowboys stand at the precipice of hope, and redemption after their dilapidated 7-10 season. But who could lead them down that path? Once there was Deion Sanders being heavily touted as a possible replacement. Now, though, it’s disgruntled former NFL coach Bill Belichick. But does he want to actually consider it?

With the Cowboys stuttering and stumbling in their latest season under McCarthy, there was intense speculation around the head coach’s future. However, Jones solidly backed the HC throughout the season, citing past experiences for his faith. Sanders, on the other hand, made his stance absolutely clear. “The only way I would consider it is to coach my sons,” he told ‘GMA3: What You Need to Know’ this week. Well, we’re not sure how that will turn out, yet. So, let’s focus on Belichick’s prospects for now…

Ever since the former New England Patriots left the NFL (visibly frustrated) to join the ranks of college football in December last year, rumors never died down. The Athletic‘s Diana Russini was the first to report in November last year: “Almost one year after departing New England, Bill Belichick wants back on an NFL sideline.” A source close to the veteran reportedly said, “Coaching is in his blood. He wants this.” So naturally, with a vacant position in Jones’ arsenal, the dots began connecting themselves.

“Belichick and Jones have had a good relationship over the decades, and sources last month indicated Belichick had interest in the Dallas job should it come open,” CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reported on January 13. But if you ask the man himself, he made his stance as clear as it can be…

Belichick was asked on the Let’s Go Podcast to share his thoughts on the Cowboys coaching vacancy. Let’s just say he isn’t too excited about the opportunity in Dallas and is keen on building a successful program in North Carolina. “I’m focused on Carolina and Tar Heels and making the 25 team there in Carolina as good as we can make it and build the program to a high level, and you know to compete in the ACC. So I can’t worry about what everybody else is or isn’t doing,” he said.

This reiterates his stance from his introductory press conference for UNC, when he said, “I didn’t come here to leave.” After his recent comments, you could hear a collective sigh of relief across Chapel Hill. Add to that the 72-year-old’s recent efforts for his new team, and it sure indicates that Belichick is here to stay for the long haul.

Since signing a five-year contract with an annual salary of $10 million with UNC, Belichick has gone about shaping the program in his own image. He has added 13 new players through the transfer portal and has also reportedly filled 10 positions on his coaching staff and support staff ahead of his debut season.

Having said that, bringing Belichick would be a no-brainer for Jerry Jones. Surely, he could make one phone call to the coaching veteran and urge him to change his mind. His buyout clause is $10 million if he leaves before June 1, 2025, and money might not be an issue for Jones. Jones knows how the pressure is on him to get his next appointment right after parting ways with McCarthy and you don’t get many coaches with a resume as impressive as that of Belichick’s.

For a franchise starved for success, Belichick would be the perfect man. But it seems the former Patriots coach is not keen on a move.

Interestingly, even Dianna Russini broke it down for us: “Bill Belichick has no plans to return to the NFL. I’m told his sole focus is on coaching and recruiting for North Carolina. As he continues building the Tar Heels’ future.” 

It appears that the ship might have sailed for the Cowboys to land Belichick. Back in January last year when the Patriots parted ways with him, there was a reasonable chance of him taking up an NFL coaching role, if it came his way. But even as McCarthy struggled with form and fitness of key players, Jones made no indication of not renewing his contract. Belichick watching from the sidelines signed with UNC and now is looking to shape them into a contender. And for Jones, that ship has sailed as further confirmed by FOX Sports’ Jonathan Schulz.

“FWIW: Bill Belichick would have been interested in the Cowboys’ job, and it’s believed that Dallas would have been interested in him, had he known the position would become available. Belichick and his camp never received any indication during backchannel conversations that the job would open up, which is partly why he ended up at UNC. Belichick has an excellent relationship with the Jones family,” he tweeted.

For now, everything’s just ifs and buts for the Cowboys. And while Belichick might be out of the picture, the rumor mill hasn’t stopped turning with Mike Tomlin in the frame now.

Can the Dallas Cowboys turn out to be Mike Tomlin’s new home?

Judging by what happened in Baltimore on Saturday, the Steelers under Mike Tomlin are still far away from going deep into the playoffs. Despite Tomlin continuing to deliver winning seasons, that was the Steelers’ sixth straight one-and-done playoff exit. Since their postseason success in 2016, the Steelers have kept on threatening the playoffs. But they are in no way near a Super Bowl run.

Well, at least the Steelers are playing in the playoffs regularly under Tomlin. Elsewhere, in Dallas, things are way worse. The Cowboys haven’t sniffed conference title games or Super Bowl appearances since winning back in 1996.

So, former QB Chase Daniel feels it would make sense for Tomlin to move on from Pittsburgh and take up a new challenge in Dallas. Sharing his thoughts with The Athletic, Daniel said, “I think Mike Tomlin needs to move on from the Steelers: I look at him as an Andy Reid or a Sean Payton. Let’s leave where we have been forever, and let’s go have some success somewhere else.” See, Andy Reid spent more than a decade in Philadelphia and the moment he left the Eagles. Reid went on to deliver three Super Bowls to Kansas City. As for Sean Payton, he had two stints with the Saints for over a decade, but only managed to win one Super Bowl.

Unlike Reid, Payton has yet to deliver Lombardi in Denver. But in his first two seasons, the Broncos have already broken their playoff drought since Super Bowl 50. However, is Tomlin ready for a fresh start? Well, his value in Pittsburgh hasn’t been this low since the last 18 seasons. So, who knows? Maybe for the sake of his coaching career in the NFL, he may show interest in the opportunity that has opened up in Dallas. What do you think?