The NFL coaching carousel took a dramatic turn this season, but one big name shockingly still remains without a seat: Bill Belichick, formerly of the New England Patriots. The storied coach, known for his strategic mastermind and six Super Bowl titles, was a top contender for the Atlanta Falcons' head coaching job, that is, until a reported intervention by his old boss, Robert Kraft. According to an CBS News report, Kraft may have influenced the Falcons' decision to not hire Belichick by providing a less than flattering recommendation of Belichick to Falcons owner Arthur Blank.

The Patriots and Belichick parted ways after a disappointing 4-13 season, leading to Belichick's pursuit of a new challenge. Despite interviewing twice with the Falcons and signaling his readiness to not demand the total control he enjoyed in New England, Belichick's expected next step collapsed. Reports suggest Kraft, during conversations with Blank, may have pushed to actively throw his previous employee under the proverbial bus. Kraft allegedly described Belichick as "extremely difficult and obstinate and kind of stubborn and, in the end, not worthy of his trust. And also very, very, very arrogant," reports CBS News through a source connected to the situation.

This bombshell account comes in stark contrast to the Patriots' official denial, where team spokesperson Stacey James asserted Kraft never said "anything negative" about Belichick post-departure, claiming, "In fact, Robert advocated for Bill to get the job," said James in a statement obtained by FOX5 Atlanta.

Despite the denial, the damage might seem to already have been done. The Falcons went on to hire Raheem Morris, previously with the Rams, from a sizable pool of 14 candidates. The snub left Belichick "blindsided," as per CBS News, and marked the first time since 1975 that Belichick would face a season outside the sidelines. Surprisingly enough, Belichick told those close to him that he would consider teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, and New York Giants, as potential future prospects.

The aftermath of the CBS News report casts a murky shadow over Kraft's recent actions, especially in the light of the portrayal of Belichick in the Apple TV+ docuseries "The Dynasty." The series, backed by the Kraft family, was lambasted by former Patriots for its negative spotlight on the coach. For now, Belichick remains a free agent, his legendary resume somehow not enough to secure a head coaching job. As time marches on towards the 2025 NFL season, whether he'll find himself to again helm a team or diverge into broadcasting remains to fit a puzzle piece into an ever-shifting landscape.