Bill Belichick said some harsh things about the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night’s ManningCast.
Fans expect Belichick to tell it straight in all of his new analyst roles. But given that Belichick interviewed for Atlanta’s head coaching role in January and did not get the job, some people wondered if that might have influenced his comments Monday night.
Belichick was absolutely justified in pointing out some Atlanta faults, such as missed tackles on a second-quarter scramble by Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts.
“Good run, can’t tackle, can’t tackle him,” Belichick said as he watched the play with Peyton and Eli Manning.
“Bill … how does that happen?” Peyton Manning asked.
“I mean, honestly it was the same issue last week, they didn’t tackle very well against Pittsburgh,” Belichick responded.
Bill Belichick absolutely burying the Falcons’ defense. #ManningCast pic.twitter.com/hlHS4rtYbl
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 17, 2024
When Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney’s name came up, Belichick noted he was “one of those three free agents they signed illegally… that they contacted early, got fined for it, lost a draft choice and all that.”
Belichick also found a humorous way to get in a dig at the Falcons, recalling how team owner Arthur Blank showed up on the sideline celebrating Atlanta’s big lead in Super Bowl LI before the New England Patriots rallied from a 28-3 deficit to win.
“I remember, [Arthur] Blank down on the sideline in the fourth quarter, celebrating when they were ahead,” Belichick said. “He’s a pretty good dresser. Arthur always looks sharp, but he was down there on the sideline, and we were getting beat, and I was like, Jesus.”
Bill Belichick recounts the Patriots’ comeback win down 28-3 against the Falcons on the #ManningCast.
“I remember, [Arthur] Blank down on the sideline in the fourth quarter, celebrating when they were ahead… He’s a pretty good dresser. Arthur always looks sharp, but he was… pic.twitter.com/KR08Apxw3p
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 17, 2024
Those Falcons references led some to wonder. NFL Network analyst Chase Daniel posted a message on X, “Coming from the guy who didn’t get the job,” before later deleting it.
Belichick’s Falcons observations caused a buzz across social media.
Bill’s personal shots are quite good https://t.co/6kzm0PL3C3
— Dan Lifshatz (@DanLifshatz) September 17, 2024
Bill Belichick could not wait to talk about Darnell Mooney just to dump on the Falcons and their GM that got the job over him. Emphasized the hell out of that “illegally” and had every penalty they were hit with for tampering ready to rip
— George Balekji (@GeorgeBalekji) September 17, 2024
I think Bill Belichick would have lost his mind coaching this Falcons team from hearing him talk on the ManningCast.
“Can’t tackle.”
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) September 17, 2024
As noted earlier, people expect Belichick to tell it straight, and the Falcons certainly had flaws Monday night. Did Belichick have an ulterior motive in his comments? Only he could answer that question.
[ManningCast]
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.