After watching the NFL from the sidelines this season, recent reports state that Bill Belichick is keen to return to coaching in 2025…but on one condition.

The 72-year-old said goodbye to the New England Patriots after 24 seasons with the franchise, in which he won six Super Bowls, at the end of the 2023/24 season.

While fans and pundits expected one of the greatest coaches in NFL history to land on his feet, Belichick was left without a team once the hiring cycle for coaches ended.

With plenty of franchises expected to make changes at the head coaching position at the end of the current season, it appears Belichick is eyeing a return to the league.

However, The Athletic’s Diana Russini says Belichick wants “as much authority as he can get” in any future job.

“Coaching is in his blood; he wants this,” a source texted Russini. However control over matters related to player personnel could prove a stumbling block, as teams were reportedly unwilling to meet Belichick’s demands last offseason.

Belichick interviewed for the Atlanta Falcons head coaching position, while San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan revealed he offered Bill a defensive coordinator role on his staff.

Belichick keeping busy despite no coaching position

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that should Belichick land with a team, he’ll only do so if he is convinced as he’s expected to be “choosy” over his next landing spot.

Despite being out of the NFL presently, Belichick has kept busy by taking on various broadcasting roles this season. He’s made appearances on ESPN’s Monday Night Football Manningcast, the Pat McAfee Show and Inside the NFL on The CW.