NFL Rumors: Bill Belichick Linked to Commanders, Falcons as Most Likely Landing Spots
If Bill Belichick wants to continue his career as an NFL head coach, there are at least two teams that could have interest in the future Hall of Famer.
Per ESPN's Dan Graziano, the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Commanders will be "discussed" as the most likely landing spots for Belichick in the next few days.
The Athletic's Dianna Russini added the Falcons "have been interested in landing Bill Belichick for weeks," although he is not "the only candidate they are targeting."
Bill Belichick will want to continue coaching and is expected to draw interest from at least some of the other seven NFL teams that currently have head coach vacancies, quite possibly the Atlanta Falcons, per league sources.
ESPN's Adam Schefter and Mike Reiss reported Belichick and the New England Patriots are expected to part ways on Thursday, bringing an end to his 24-year run with the franchise.
The Falcons are lining up candidates in the wake of firing Arthur Smith after their 48-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Falcons have requested an interview with Baltimore Ravens defensive line coach Anthony Weaver and Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn.
It's perhaps notable that all of these people, including Belichick, are known for their defensive coaching ability. Smith came from an offensive background and had some success, particularly with the rushing attack during the 2022 season, but the inability to figure out the quarterback position ultimately doomed their chances of contending in a mediocre NFC South.
The Commanders are entering the first full year with their new ownership group led by Josh Harris. They were approved by league owners in July when it was too late to potentially make a change at head coach.
Now, Harris will have the opportunity to make the first significant hire of his tenure in Washington. There are worse ways to ingratiate yourself to a fanbase than by hiring the most successful head coach in NFL history if that's the direction the Commanders end up going in.
It's not a surprise that Belichick, who will turn 72 on April 16, would want to continue as an NFL head coach. He's only 14 wins away from tying Don Shula for the most in league history between the regular season and playoffs.
Belichick is also still capable of doing positive things. Even though New England's offense fell off in recent years, it was regularly ranked in the top 10 on defense in many key categories. This season was the first time the
Commanders' Antonio Gibson Won't Play vs. Browns with Foot, Knee Injuries
Dec 30, 2022
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - SEPTEMBER 12: Antonio Gibson #24 of the Washington Football Team looks on prior to the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at FedExField on September 12, 2021 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Washington Commanders running back Antonio Gibson has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns because of foot and knee injuries, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The news was expected as Gibson was trending toward not playing after he missed the last three days of practice.
Gibson eclipsed 1,000 yards from scrimmage for the second straight year in 2021. He finished with 1,037 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground and 42 receptions for 294 yards and three scores.
His 2022 season hasn't matched that pace. Through 15 games, he has run for 546 yards and three touchdowns.
This offseason, the Commanders made a big investment in their passing game. First, they acquired quarterback Carson Wentz from the Indianapolis Colts. Then, they selected Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson with the 16th pick in the 2022 draft.
The arrivals of Wentz and Dotson theoretically lessened Washington's reliance on the running game, and rookie Brian Robinson Jr. has emerged as the team's top running back this year, having rushed for 710 yards and two scores in 11 games.
Robinson will be asked to shoulder the load for the Commanders in Week 17 as they hope to keep their playoff hopes alive against the Browns.
Carson Wentz Replaces Taylor Heinicke as Commanders QB vs. 49ers in Week 16
Dec 24, 2022
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 24: Carson Wentz #11 of the Washington Commanders warms up prior to a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
The Washington Commanders have replaced Taylor Heinicke with Carson Wentz in the fourth quarter of Saturday's game against the San Francisco 49ers.
Washington was down 30-14 at the time it inserted Wentz into the game. Heinicke completed 13 of 18 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns against one interception before being pulled.
Jay Glazer of Fox Sports (h/t NFL insider Dov Kleiman) reported before the game that the Commanders had a "plan" to bench Heinicke in favor of Wentz if he struggled in Saturday's game.
Additionally NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported that the leash was getting shorter for Heinicke following poor performances against the New York Giants on Dec. 4 and Dec. 18.
While Heinicke wasn't necessarily playing that poorly, the Commanders needed any kind of spark they could get against a 49ers team that has played very well behind rookie quarterback Brock Purdy.
Wentz, who returned from a stint on injured reserve late last month, told reporters Wednesday that he was "physically feeling good" and would be ready to go against the 49ers if his number was called.
The 29-year-old began the season as Washington's starter after coming over in a trade from the Indianapolis Colts. In the team's first six games, he completed 62.1 percent of his passes for 1,489 yards and 10 touchdowns against six interceptions as the Commanders went 2-4.
Heinicke has started every game since, going 5-3-1 including the 37-20 loss to the 49ers. He entered Saturday's game having completed 61.4 percent of his passes for 1,693 yards and 10 touchdowns against five interceptions.
Despite falling to 7-7-1 on Saturday, Washington is still very much in the NFC playoff picture.
Mat Ishbia No Longer Pursuing Purchase of Commanders After Suns Agreement
Dec 23, 2022
FILE -Former Michigan State player Mat Ishbia laughs as he are introduced along with Michigan State's 2000 national championship NCAA college basketball team during halftime of the Michigan State-Florida game in East Lansing, Mich. Mortgage executive Mat Ishbia has agreed in principle to buy the Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury from the embattled owner Robert Sarver for $4 billion, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Al Goldis, File)
UWM Holdings Corporation Chairman and CEO Mat Ishbia is "no longer pursuing" a purchase of the Washington Commanders.
Mark Maske of the Washington Post relayed the news Friday from a spokesperson representing Ishbia, who recently agreed to buy controlling interest in the Phoenix Suns and Mercury for $4 billion.
Ishbia told the Post'sMaske and Nicki Jhabvalain early November that he was "interested in exploring this opportunity [to buy the Commanders] further in the very near future."
That was after team owners Dan and Tanya Snyder announced Nov. 2 that they retained the services of Bank of America to "consider potential transactions" for the franchise.
Per the Post, Ishbia was among the bidders for ownership of the Denver Broncos, but a group led by Walmart heir Rob Walton ended up buying the team.
Ishbia's purchase of the Suns and Mercury marks the most expensive sale of an NBA team all-time, breaking Joe Tsai's previous record of $3.3 billion for the Brooklyn Nets in 2019.
As far as the Commanders go, the Post reported this month that "a full sale is the most likely outcome."
The team is worth an estimated $5.6 billion, but bids have come in "well north" of $7 billion, per Michael Ozanian of Forbes. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is also expected to make a bid for the team.
Commanders' Chase Young to Make 2022 Debut vs. 49ers After Knee Injury Rehab
Dec 22, 2022
PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 14: Chase Young #99 of the Washington Commanders warms up before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 14, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
The Washington Commanders confirmed Chase Young will be activated for Saturday's game against the San Francisco 49ers.
This will be Young's first action since he suffered a torn ACL in November 2021. Head coach Ron Rivera indicated he plans on managing the young pass-rusher's workload.
Ron Rivera said Chase Young will be on a pitch count Saturday when he makes his season debut against the 49ers.
Young, the No. 2 pick in the 2020 draft, made an immediate impact. He totaled 7.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles en route to winning Defensive Rookie of the Year.
The ACL injury capped a slightly disappointing sophomore campaign. The 23-year-old had 1.5 sacks and 26 tackles through nine games before going down.
At 7-6-1, the Commanders occupy the final wild-card spot in the NFC. The Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions are hot on their heels at 7-7, and the Green Bay Packers are lurking a little lower down the standings at 6-8.
Young's return is obviously big news because he's a defensive cornerstone. Getting back on the field also gives him the opportunity to help seal a postseason berth.
Washington could use a boost off the edge. The team is 16th in total sacks (34) and 15th in adjusted sack rate, per Football Outsiders.
The Commanders face a 49ers offense that hasn't missed a beat with quarterback Brock Purdy at the helm, followed by matchups against the Cleveland Browns' Deshaun Watson and Dallas Cowboys' Dak Prescott.
Getting consistent pressure on the quarterback will be a priority for Rivera and his staff over the next three weeks, and Young can now factor into those plans.
Commanders Charity Under Scrutiny from Watchdog Groups
Dec 22, 2022
Washington Redskins owner Daniel Snyder arrives for an NFL owners meeting in New York, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2020. The NFL's labor committee met Thursday morning before presenting to the owners the current state of ongoing negotiations with the players' union on a new labor agreement. With the league eager to reach a collective bargaining agreement with the players in the next few weeks _ the current deal runs out in March 2021 _ team representatives were summoned to New York to discuss the NFL's proposal. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
Two nonprofit watchdog groups—CharityWatch and the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy—and an investigation by ESPN's Tisha Thompson found that the Washington Commanders' Charitable Foundation is "operating in a manner that calls into question whether it is upholding its charitable mission responsibly."
"There are so many red flags here, it's hard to keep score," CharityWatch executive director Laurie Styron told Thompson. "Taxpayers who subsidize the existence of public charities also have a stake in knowing that nonprofits aren't being used to forward the personal interests of the people running it."
The charity receives 75 percent of its donations from the public and the team's fans. In 2020, it allegedly raised $2.1 million in contributions and grants and gave away $697,000. In 2021, it is said to have raised $927,992 and gave away more $471,000.
The review found that the charity "lacks sufficient independent oversight"; failed to disclose that one of the companies it owes money to belongs to team owner Daniel Snyder; had a number of "unusual transactions" listed in its filings; and provided grants to organizations that don't align with its mission statement.
"The Washington Commander owners, players, donors, alumni, and staff have dedicated time and resources to helping others and we are very proud of the work that has been accomplished, while becoming even more integrated as a community partner in the Washington region," team spokesperson Jean Medina said in a statement.
John Brownlee and Stuart Nash, who are counsel for the Commanders, responded to the report in a statement:
ESPN chose to ignore the informed opinions of the Foundation's independent auditors, and additional outside legal experts who actually had access to the Foundation's records and finances, in favor of the uninformed opinions of individuals who had no such access, and who had affirmatively refused such access when it was offered to them.
Up until April, Commanders co-CEO Tanya Snyder was the sole voting board member in the foundation. Team president Jason Wright, senior vice president of corporate affairs and strategy Amina Bulman, Commanders' Charitable Foundation executive director, Valeri Biberaj and chief operating officer Greg Resh were then added as voting board members by Snyder.
Resh later left both the team and the foundation's voting board in September.
"The potential for abuse is really, really high," president and CEO of the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy Aaron Dorfman told Thompson regarding the board being comprised solely of team employees.
"The better practice would be to have some people on the board who are not beholden to the Snyders or to the team," he added. "People who have the best interests of vulnerable children, because the foundation says that is what it's working toward. And that would help guarantee that the foundation is used for its intended purpose of really benefiting the community."
It is the latest controversy for the Snyders and the Commanders, who have faced numerous investigations and inquiries in the past year, including a House Committee on Oversight and Reform probe that found Snyder had fostered a "culture of fear" within the organization. It also reported instances of "sexual harassment, bullying, and other toxic conduct" over the course of several decades.
In November, the organization announced that the Snyders had hired Bank of America Securities "to consider potential transactions," the first indication that the beleaguered owner may finally consider selling the franchise.
Taylor Heinicke Won't Lose Starting Job to Carson Wentz, Commanders' Ron Rivera Says
Dec 19, 2022
LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 18:Washington Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke (4) on the field during the second quarter of the game at FedEx Field on December 18, 2022 in Landover, MD. (Photo by Katherine Frey/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera said Monday the team will not bench Taylor Heinicke after Sunday's 20-12 loss to the New York Giants.
"The biggest thing more than anything else is sticking with Taylor and what we're trying to accomplish," Rivera told reporters.
The coach indicated a quarterback change could still come if things don't improve for the 7-6-1 squad.
"It is something to be quite frank, I do have to think about at some point," Rivera added. "But if we get back on track and play the way we've played and do the things we've done, then we'll stick where we are."
Carson Wentz, who started the first six games of the season, was activated from injured reserve last week after dealing with a finger injury.
The Commanders acquired Wentz in an offseason trade with the Indianapolis Colts, although he struggled in the new location with 10 passing touchdowns and six interceptions in six games, producing an 84.1 passer rating.
Washington was just 2-4 in his starts.
The team has fared better with Heinicke under center, going 5-2-1 in his eight eight games, although the last two starts resulted in a tie and loss to the New York Giants.
Heinicke also hasn't been much better on an individual level, totaling 10 touchdowns with five interceptions and an 87.7 rating.
He ranks 27th in the NFL in Total QBR, while Wentz is 31st of 33 qualified players.
The Commanders have been good enough to overcome mediocre quarterback play this year, ranking fourth in the NFL in total yards allowed and ninth in points allowed. It's kept them in playoff position entering Week 16, half a game ahead of the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions for the last wild-card spot.
Heinicke will keep his starting job ahead of next Saturday's game against the San Francisco 49ers, but he might have a short leash if he continues to struggle.
NFL Twitter Criticizes Refs After Controversial Ending of Commanders' Loss to Giants
Dec 19, 2022
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 18: Taylor Heinicke #4 of the Washington Commanders argues with officials during the fourth quarter against the New York Giants at FedExField on December 18, 2022 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
The Washington Commanders had the chance to complete an improbable comeback against the New York Giants on Sunday Night Football, but they were doomed by some questionable officiating.
Trailing by eight with under two minutes left in the game, Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke drove the team down to the Giants goal line. When it looked like rookie running back Brian Robinson punched in a touchdown, the referees threw a flag for illegal formation because star receiver Terry McLaurin was deemed to be not lined up properly.
While that call felt egregious since McLaurin told reporters after the game that he had confirmed the legality of his pre-snap alignment with the referee, fans at FedEx Field were even more incensed after Heinicke's fourth-down throw to the end zone.
The ball bounced off the hand of receiver Curtis Samuel, but a closer look showed a clear and obvious pass interference by Giants cornerback Darnay Holmes. Only this time, the referees swallowed their whistle, sealing a 20-12 loss for Washington in front of its home crowd.
The inconsistent officiating in the crucial moments of Sunday night's game drew the ire of NFL Twitter, as many unloaded on the referees after the game:
So NFL officials simply are too afraid to call pass interference in the final seconds of games anymore? It’s rather gutless, isn’t it ?
The penalty on Terry McLaurin (on a play where the Commanders scored a one-yard TD) looked iffy. He pointed at the ref to say he was on the line. Need more info on that.
The PBU on the Heinicke 4th down pass to Samuel looked like pretty obvious pass interference.
How is the NFL a multi multi billion dollar business but they won’t hire full-time referees and they won’t use technology to its full extent. This non call on Samuel, the fact they called the Raiders TD good… games are being decided by dead wrong calls.
A game doesn’t come down to one play but damn that was text book pass interference. The referring in the NFL is at an all-time low. Too many new rules every year when the previous rules weren’t mastered in the first place. League needs to get back to the basics of officiating.
Officiating in the NFL has been the subject of controversy throughout the 2022 season. Along with roughing the passer calls, pass interference penalties have fallen under a microscope because of the inconsistencies in how the rules are being enforced.
Washington had overcome an 11-point halftime deficit to make it a one-score game. Heinicke has proven to be able to come up clutch when needed, but he wasn't given a chance this time because the referees took over the spotlight.
The Commanders (7-6-1) are still hoping to make a push for the playoffs, so they will have to regroup quickly and turn the page to next week's game against the San Francisco 49ers (10-4) on Christmas Eve.
Report: NFL Owners Expect Dan Snyder to Sell Controlling Stake in Commanders
Dec 15, 2022
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - FEBRUARY 02: Team co-owner Dan Snyder speaks during the announcement of the Washington Football Team's name change to the Washington Commanders at FedExField on February 02, 2022 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
NFL owners believe the Dan Snyder era with the Washington Commanders is coming to an end.
Per A.J. Perez of Front Office Sports, there is a "growing sense" among some owners that Snyder will sell at least a controlling stake in the Commanders.
"It certainly looks that way," one team owner told Perez.
The speculation comes as NFL owners gathered this week for league meetings in Irving, Texas. Snyder was not in attendance as the Commanders continue to go through the sale process.
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay, who previously said there was "merit" to removing Snyder from power, told Perez on Wednesday "maybe some other solutions can be found."
Speaking to reporters after the meetings wrapped up, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was asked if he anticipated Snyder would sell full control of the franchise.
"I don't have any expectations on that," Goodell said. "Dan's statement was that he was exploring that. And we will continue to work with him on that."
Mark Maske, Liz Clarke and Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post reported on Wednesday there were "growing expectations" that Snyder will sell the entire franchise, with Bank of America getting ready to release a prospectus to potential buyers.
Dan and Tanya Snyder said in a statement on Nov. 2 they retained Bank of America Securities to consider "potential transactions."
Snyder's ownership of the franchise has been riddled with controversy, especially in recent years.
The United States House Committee on Oversight released a report on Dec. 8 stemming from its investigation into allegations of a toxic workplace.
According to the report, it was determined the Commanders and NFL covered up decades of sexual misconduct within the organization. Snyder was found to have "permitted and participated in this troubling conduct," including inappropriately touching a former employee at a dinner and trying to "aggressively push" her into his limousine.
Snyder purchased the Commanders in May 1999 after previous owner Jack Kent Cooke died. The franchise has had six winning seasons and made the playoffs six times during his tenure as owner.
