Amidst a turbulent head coaching search, the Falcons appeared to be on the verge of hiring Bill Belichick until the surprising announcement that Raheem Morris had been appointed to the position. Reports suggested that Arthur Blank veered away from Belichick due to concerns about the impact his arrival might have on the organization, as it was anticipated that he would bring along a significant entourage to Atlanta.

However, there are now conflicting reports. WFAN host and former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason shared insights from an NFL executive indicating that it was actually Belichick who declined interest in the Falcons, and that owner Arthur Blank extended an offer to him.

“I was informed yesterday, and I trust the source, that Arthur Blank was inclined towards offering Bill Belichick the job,” Esiason stated on his “Boomer and Gio” show on Monday.

“I don’t know the reasons behind refusals, but an NFL executive shared with me that they believe Arthur Blank made the offer to Bill. Of course, there might have been conditions attached to the offer; it’s never a straightforward ‘Here’s a contract, do as you please.’ I don’t think it unfolded like that.”

While this revelation is new, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s untrue. Blank held a high regard for Belichick, and Albert Breer reported that he wanted to hire Belichick solely as the head coach without the additional roles he held in New England. There were also rumors suggesting potential friction between Belichick and McKay, which could have played a role in both parties not reaching an agreement.

“The impression I got was, ‘Okay, I understand your concerns, but you’ll have to navigate through some of this, and we want you to join as the coach,’ and perhaps he had a change of heart,” Esiason remarked.