Bill Belichick, who failed to land a coaching job, admits he has coached the best offensive, defensive, and special-teams players of all time

The 2024 season will be the first time since 1974, that the NFL would not have a Bill Belichick-coached team.

Bill Belichick, who failed to land a coaching job, admits he has coached the best offensive, defensive, and special-teams players of all time

Bill Belichick, Matthew Slater, Lawrence Taylor and Tom Brady (Via Imago/The Boston Globe/Wallpapers/NBC Boston)

Bill Belichick’s coaching career in the NFL may have come to an end, but his legacy remains intact in six shining New England Patriots Super Bowl trophies and the legendary players he coached. 

When the legendary head coach parted ways from the Patriots after 23 years, he had several prospects in the league who showed interest in hiring Belichick and had the vacancy available as well. However, he only interviewed for one franchise– the Atlanta Falcons, who unfortunately went in another direction and instead hired Raheem Morris over the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach. 

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The rejection from the Falcons brought Belichick to square one, and now as the coaching fair ended, it is the first time since 1974, that the NFL would not have a Belichick-coached team, which already sounds like the end of an era. 

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Amidst the coaching job fiasco, Belichick and the whole of the Patriots family came across the overwhelming news of their legendary special team player, Matthew Slater’s retirement after 16 years in the league. It’s an emotional goodbye filled with lots of great memories and tears over the team. 

In light of Slater’s retirement, an old video of head coach Belichick resurfaced over the internet, via Ari Meirov on X (formerly Twitter), where the 71-year-old talked about his dominating era with New England and admits he coached the best offensive as Tom Brady, defensive as Lawrence Taylor, and special-teams as Slater, players of all time.

The former Patriots head coach said in an interview with 33rd Team:

I’ve been very fortunate. I coached the best offensive player, Tom, the best defensive player in football in L.T., and the best special teams player in football in Matt Slater.
Bill Belichick said

Bill Belichick praises Matthew Slater as ‘Best of All Time’ in special teams

While talking about the best special teams player, head coach Belichick also showered high praises on the 38-year-old receiver.

As a core special-teamer, Slater is the best of all time. I hope he gets recognized for that.
Bill Belichick said
Bill Belichick and Matthew Slater
Bill Belichick and Matthew Slater (Via NBC Sports)

Slater shares a very profound bond with coach Belichick, whom he has been impressing with his exceptional ability to minimize kick return yardage since his rookie year. 

Previously, Belichick also called Slater one of the best players he coached and also believes he would soon be named Hall of Fame. He has the highest Pro Bowl nods (10) among the special teams players and has been named All-Pro eight times throughout his NFL career.

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