Bill Belichick power rankings: Ranking 5 best destinations for Hall-of-Fame coach

2. Atlanta Falcons

Bill Belichick's reported wishlist of "talented but underachieving" feels like a direct reference to the Atlanta Falcons. Arthur Smith went 7-10 in three straight seasons as Falcons head coach. He received ample personnel support on offense, but Atlanta never overcame mediocre QB play and Smith's conservative play-calling.

The Falcons are truly a coach and a QB away. Belichick would inherit a top-10 defense and an offense that includes Drake London, Kyle Pitts, Bijan Robinson, and Tyler Allegier. He would also need to rebuild around a rookie QB or free agent. Atlanta owns the No. 8 pick in the NFL Draft, which is probably too late to land Jayden Daniels, but too early to invest in Bo Nix or Michael Penix. How the Falcons' front office handles the draft will go a long way toward determining the rest of their offseason strategy.

Atlanta is well positioned to contend for the services of Kirk Cousins or Baker Mayfield in free agency. Desmond Ridder is bound to stick around as the emergency option. He wasn't completely untenable in 2023 and perhaps a change in coach and system unlocks the magic that catapulted Ridder to perennial contention in college.

Belichick could demand significant personnel control in Atlanta. He's bound to strike up a fast friendship with Arthur Blank, who is desperate to restore some level of respectability to the Falcons organization. Belichick is a major swing. The Falcons are past due for a major swing. It could end up backfiring, as Belichick comes with serious red flags. But, at the end of the day, he's the best head coach ever. Atlanta would feel honored to have him.