BOMBSHELL ESPN REPORT: How Robert Kraft Sabotaged Bill Belichick For Falcons Head Coaching Job

Atlanta Falcons news and rumors are HOT after ESPN dropped an article detailing the behind the scenes fallout for Bill Belichick and the Falcons head coaching job with Patriots owner Robert Kraft sabotaging Belichick’s bid for the Falcons head coaching gig. Get the entire breakdown of this ESPN Bill Belichick article and what Falcons Today host Matthew Peterson thinks about the Falcons rumors and news of the day.
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Bill Belichick’s resume after Tom Brady left:
2020-23: 29-39 record
2023: 4-13
1 playoff appearance
Mac Jones failure
Several missed draft picks
Falcons head coach preference order:
#1: DC Raheem Morris
#2: DC Mike Macdonald
#3: OC Bobby Slowik
ESPN’s Don Van Natta, Seth Wickersham & Jeremy Fowler On Bill Belichick:
“Four days after huddling on the yacht, Belichick was interviewed for a second time on Jan. 19 at Blank's Atlanta-area home. Blank and top Falcons executives, including McKay, Fontenot and team president Greg Beadles, were present. The executives, whose team has had just three winning seasons since 2012, took the measure of a coach who is used to doing it his own way. By the time the meeting was over, Belichick felt confident it had gone well, a source close to him said. But a source familiar with the Falcons' thinking said neither McKay nor Fontenot wanted to work with Belichick. Their concerns mirrored those of the Eagles: If you hire Belichick, he will inevitably run the team, even if he doesn't demand total control.”
ESPN’s Don Van Natta, Seth Wickersham & Jeremy Fowler On Bill Belichick & Robert Kraft:
…In a conversation with Blank, Kraft delivered a stark assessment of Belichick's character, according to a source who spoke to two people: a close Kraft friend and a longtime Belichick confidant. The source quoted the Belichick source as saying, "Robert called Arthur to warn him not to trust Bill." That account was backed up, the source said, by the close Kraft friend. Multiple sources said that Kraft spoke with "some candor" to Blank about Belichick, though the sources declined to elaborate. One source close to Belichick said Kraft "was a big part" of why the Falcons passed on hiring him.”
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[@FalconsTV]

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[@deliveryguy6262]

You are doing a great job. 👏. I try not to miss any of your videos.

[@FalconsTV]

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[@Rucarlos]

Belichick gave him 20+ years of complete dedication and Kraft couldn't even give a damn recommendation. Totally embarrassing for the Krafts

[@macmoney2043]

facts.so sad.

[@FalconsTV]

Falcons Today host Matthew Peterson has Falcons news & rumors on his Twitter when you give him a follow: twitter.com/MatthewPetey

[@MumRah]

Hey Bill how would you change this team? Bill, "if i was up by 25 at half time in the SB I'd run the ball in the 2nd half ". 😂

[@FalconsTV]

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[@FalconsTV]

Looking for your next Atlanta Falcons KZbin video to watch? Check out these Falcons Today videos HERE: - Falcons RUMORED To Be Targeting A Quarterback In NFL Draft? Top QB Targets For Atlanta: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qqrTk4SAd9aprtk - Falcons 3-Round Mock Draft By ESPN: Pick #8 A DONE DEAL? Top Falcons Draft Targets For Rounds 2 & 3? kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXS2Ya1_rtF4gc0 - Falcons WORST Case Scenario In NFL Draft? Sign Cam Newton To Backup Kirk Cousins? kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2PSpYqZf9CppsU

[@FalconsTV]

Bill Belichick’s resume after Tom Brady left: 2020-23: 29-39 record 2023: 4-13 1 playoff appearance Mac Jones failure Several missed draft picks

[@brentstrickland]

I'm a subscriber since you were pushing for 6,000, and I always enjoy your insight, Matthew. Here's a tip for you: paradigm is pronounced "pair-uh-dime"

[@FalconsTV]

What's next, the G in lasagna is silent too?

[@jacksondiemert4322]

So your telling me the falcons bringing in Kirk and talking to potential coworkers/teammates is tampering but Robert Kraft single handedly saying something to blank that changed the direction of the franchise. If we lose a draft pick they should lose 3 smh

[@jonathansimmons6452]

Huge Facts for real

[@FalconsTV]

ESPN’s Don Van Natta, Seth Wickersham & Jeremy Fowler On Bill Belichick: “Four days after huddling on the yacht, Belichick was interviewed for a second time on Jan. 19 at Blank's Atlanta-area home. Blank and top Falcons executives, including McKay, Fontenot and team president Greg Beadles, were present. The executives, whose team has had just three winning seasons since 2012, took the measure of a coach who is used to doing it his own way. By the time the meeting was over, Belichick felt confident it had gone well, a source close to him said. But a source familiar with the Falcons' thinking said neither McKay nor Fontenot wanted to work with Belichick. Their concerns mirrored those of the Eagles: If you hire Belichick, he will inevitably run the team, even if he doesn't demand total control.”

[@MumRah]

Morris was going to agree to any terms that would get him a HC job.

[@dravendeleon8625]

What if we traded two of our 3rd round picks to move up higher in the draft and then grab a top Edge or CB and use the 8th pick for BPA

[@FalconsTV]

ESPN’s Don Van Natta, Seth Wickersham & Jeremy Fowler On Bill Belichick & Robert Kraft: …In a conversation with Blank, Kraft delivered a stark assessment of Belichick's character, according to a source who spoke to two people: a close Kraft friend and a longtime Belichick confidant. The source quoted the Belichick source as saying, "Robert called Arthur to warn him not to trust Bill." That account was backed up, the source said, by the close Kraft friend. Multiple sources said that Kraft spoke with "some candor" to Blank about Belichick, though the sources declined to elaborate. One source close to Belichick said Kraft "was a big part" of why the Falcons passed on hiring him.”

[@wayneperry4678]

I have lived through this organization mistakes & bad breaks since 1973, I AM Still staying down for ATLANTA'S Lombardi crowning moment! Let's glow, it's REAL Rise Up season team Raheem realizing OUR City DREAM‼️ 🏈🏈🏈🏈🤩

[@FalconsTV]

ATL!

[@shakinlaw1406]

Nah I don’t believe Terry was looking out for himself. I think Bill’s way wouldn’t have been a winning way nor been good for the culture of the team. I’m excited to see what he does elsewhere but I was happy when we didn’t choose him as HC.

[@MumRah]

Check his references? wtf?! He's won 6 Super Bowls. Everyone knows exactly who he is. Just like how we all know Morris has had a losing record as a HC and won a SB as a DC with Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey, Leonard Floyd and the top offense in the league. 😂

[@GeorgiaPride1978]

Belichick not getting the job was not about his coaching. It was the other stuff

[@MumRah]

@@GeorgiaPride1978 yeah, McKay and Co keeping their power and jobs. Because I'd fire the lot of them on day one.

[@LiveFreeorDieTryinG]

Raheem was 32 when he coached Tampa Bay lead by whom at QB? Damn sure was not Tom Brady.

[@MumRah]

@@LiveFreeorDieTryinG Perhaps he should have gone with someone else.

[@derrellleggett8399]

Bill has a losing record without Tom Brady. He has a losing record as the HC in Cleveland, losing record with NE before Brady, and a losing record after Brady. He's Bruce Wayne without the Batman suit.

[@Nicho_Ldn]

Why are we actually divulging any of this stuff to ESPN? Why not let Kraft and Belichick carry on their pettiness all by themselves?

[@GoFalcons6695]

This is so opinionated lol. It's why I stopped watched for a few weeks. Let. It. Go. Bill didn't get the job. Idc if YOU wanted him. Move on. This story needed coverage yes, but your opinion on Bill being your favorite candidate is unnecessary

[@MumRah]

Of course, Belicheat didn't want to takeover Terry's job. We already have McKay doing that. 😂

[@FalconsTV]

Falcons head coach preference order: #1: DC Raheem Morris #2: DC Mike Macdonald #3: OC Bobby Slowik

[@robynhyman6749]

If Kraft did in fact torpedo Belichek's Atlanta deal and it can be proven, I think he could have grounds for a substantial lawsuit. That's why employers generally never give out information about a previous employee's work history and performance to companies doing reference checks. Other than confirming the dates they worked there and job title etc.

[@micahfincher7925]

I orrigionally was stunned at the hire but the way Heem has taken control and not hesitated has made me like him

[@FalconsTV]

Believe in Heem!

[@noahhalfkenny5290]

Petey not knowing how to pronounce Paradigm is hilariously on-Brand

[@FalconsTV]

Assault

[@GrassDay-LLC]

N and I mean HELL NO! No regrets.

[@jadejagger2170]

Bill is old and the league has passed him by. He didn’t fit the city or new group of players coming into the NFL. Plus ain’t no way he gives up power.

[@macmoney2043]

Jargon talk from talking heads.lets throw mud on the wall and see what sticks

[@jonathansimmons6452]

Yet his recent defenses were in the top 5. Y’all cats say the dumbest shit ever for real. Football isn’t rocket science TF.

[@joemixon1704]

If yhis is indeed true then Belicheck might have a legal case against Robert Kraft for defamation and costing him millions of dollars witha new hc job.

[@scottdoclunsford5033]

I wonder if Roberts wife trust him after his tug massage lol ...

[@robynhyman6749]

His wife died several years ago, well before the massage parlor incident.

[@chillaxe2941]

I don't usually agree with your takes and today is no exception.

[@FalconsTV]

😂😂😂

[@arkang3l80]

Oh sh*t what's the bomb shell😮

[@dravendeleon8625]

We should trade our 3rd round picks back into the first round so that way we can get an Edge and receiver in the first round

[@MumRah]

Never work with family.

[@FalconsTV]

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[@jtbrownjr71]

We made the best move!!!

[@crazyhorse38]

I didn't like either candidate. Guess time will tell if they made the right decision.

[@boutwhatever7520]

yes on question 1 I'd rather have Bill

[@carmelloluciano5773]

Mad the pats took there soul in the Superbowl

[@Falcons.pr0dzz]

Bill wasn’t gonna bet us no wins he hasnt had a winning season since 2021 and heem wasnt a HC since 2013 so you cannot bring up below 0.500 winning record

[@WunderOps]

While I feel like the Fs missed out on some NFL drama points by passing on Bill Belichick, credit to Arthur Blank for conducting a thorough search and for sticking by his convictions. Blank trusted Fontenot's insights, and TF has done a great job assessing player fits for the unique situation here in ATL. Here I believe it is just as important how we win as it is how many. I really like the players TF has recruited and drafted, excellent competitors and players who are willing to put character and learning and growing first. Wish BB could have been here to pick up the wins he needs for the record, but mgt. did their due diligence, and the fit just wasn't the exact match they needed. Best of luck to BB.

[@FalconsTV]

A well thought out take

[@kobedabest]

Don't want Bill at all

[@antoniojames9493]

Well this is the same group who decided to give a 36 year old QB 180m

[@rawdagawd409]

To do that and bill brought u 6 super bowls flat out 🐍

[@dravendeleon8625]

Why are my comments getting deleted?

[@dravendeleon8625]

Or trade Vegas for their First Round 2025 swap their first rd pick 2024 and still pick up Latu

[@austinpickens7611]

There’s no doubt that Bill is the better coach. But he’s not better for the falcons. We need someone with some energy that can breathe new life into the team. Also, who says we get Robinson as our OC if Morris isn’t the coach? We might end up bringing in one of Bill’s guys. I think we made the right decision.

[@macmoney2043]

Puleeease .That's Jargon Talk from managment to keep their job.They had all the energy they needed since inception .where's that taken them?!😂

[@austinpickens7611]

@@macmoney2043 so if we get bill our entire coaching staff is different. I like this direction more. And as great as bill is he hasn’t proved he can be good without Tom. Morris is just a guy people want to play for and with so I’m choosing him.

[@macmoney2043]

@@austinpickens7611 do some more research please.His defensive acumen helped the Giants beat a heavy faviourate Bills team in a superbowl for one.And there is more.The fist 3 superbowls with the pats his defense and special trams won it.but offcourse you'd rather listen to steve bayless.oh well

[@austinpickens7611]

@@macmoney2043 dawg if Bledsoe finishes that season and Tom doesn’t come in Bill is out of a job lmao. And idc what Bill did as a DC when we are talking about his head coaching tenure. If we were the Eagles I’d be good with Bill, but we aren’t. We aren’t ready made with established elite pieces that need more discipline to get over the hump. We need someone to come in and develop, lead and inspire the young talent we have. Bill has shown, especially as of late, that he can’t do that. The NFL has and always will be a “what have you done for me lately” business. And what has Bill done for anyone lately? Destroyed Mac Jones confidence and completely destroy a once revered team. Those are just the facts.

[@macmoney2043]

@@austinpickens7611 And if bledsoe didnt get injured ,brady the 6 round qb and third string back up would prolly haven never gotten a chance to start .with another coach ,bledsoe ,the 100 mill qb would have returned a year later and would have been Brady Who?!😂 #belichick Not being able to inspire the young talent …,puleaseee ,Belichick's resume speaks for its self .sure he wasnt perfect but head and shoulders above the competition .and painting him as weak in that department is a yuppy talk from career managment people afraid of his resume.And What Have you done for me lately ,same weak minded decision making that focuses on a small sample size .Managment with such thought process prolly have nothing decent to show for .All talk

[@ericallen3693]

Hell no Ra all day

[@keithsmith5435]

So... Fontenot is the villain who sank the chances of the "best" candidate, because he was insecure about his job? Is that the narrative that we came away and are running with? Do better Petey.

[@dawgsrule88]

I really don't care.

[@MumRah]

FIRST!!!

[@MumRah]

This was my first ever first comment on a KZbin video. I'd like to thank Gawd and work for being slow AF today for helping me achieve this victory 😂

[@FalconsTV]

Welcome to the club amigo

[@mazzi.ozborne]

Raheems personality fits the city of atlanta and the culture , Bill does not. simple as that

[@jonathansimmons6452]

Fk a damn culture we want to win flatout.

[@InterWebGuy99]

You're giving way too much credit to Robert Kraft telling Blank not to trust Belichick. The cold truth was Belichick's arrogant, total-control style had run its course in the NFL. Since the break-up with Tom Brady, he had done nothing but put up losing seasons. It wasn't just the Falcons, NO TEAM in the NFL wanted him, not even his old pal Jerry Jones.

[@arkang3l80]

No regrets bill belichick is an cheater

[@reggieharrison1325]

Disappointed in this episode. Your commentary on this topic has so many holes that I just had to respond. I’ll be as concise as I can: 1) Belichik hasn’t had success since Brady left. You admitted it. Everybody sees it. It’s not even debatable. So why can’t his lack of demonstrated performance be the reason he was ruled out? Why does it have to be some dubious conspiracy as the culprit? Belichik hurt his own case by himself. In the real world, you earn opportunities…not rest on past laurels (that are actually debated as being because of Brady, not good coaching). 2) Morris has merit of his own….He has two Super Bowl rings. He has the enthusiastic endorsement of coaches and players around the league. He has character that Blank seeks out, celebrates and appreciates. He clearly has the ability to recruit great talent around him. People have said over and over that they want to play for him and work with him. Who is saying anything remotely close to that about Belichik? He’s set up to be successful now based on who he is now, not needing him to return to some version of a past self. Where is the highlight of that? You’d rather bring up the Belichik baggage that you proudly choose to ignore. The bias is laughable. 3) If Atlanta has it so wrong for passing on such an “obvious” premium perfect candidate in Belichik, why was Atlanta the only team that even remotely considered him? Where’s all the think pieces on how the rest of the league got it wrong, too? Tell me again how a deserving Belichik was so unanimously overlooked. 4) Fontenot, Beadles, etc are not some window dressing that happen to be in the room with Blank…they’re the actual experts that Blank has asked to advise him expertly. Blank is the money. It shows maturity that an owner is expecting his football people to make football decisions. Quit playing them like they’re just suits who do what Blank wants. They’re actually doing the work of advising. And well, I might add. (See budget turnaround) 5) Anyone who’s ever worked a job knows background checks are not only common, they’re smart to do. Kraft isn’t some scorned ex, it’s called due diligence on the part of the Falcons. He’s not “meddling”, that’s reasonable business at work. You thinking he’s out of line is again, laughable. 6) You have ZERO confidence in Morris having more success than what Belichik would have hypothetically produced. If (recent) success is your best indicator of future success, then why does it not apply now? Apply it consistently. Morris is trending up while Belichik is/was trending significantly more down. Ask yourself why you’re not applying your own logic to this question. 7) You question if Fontenot and other executives made the decision to protect their egos…but the NFL is a league where success is the only currency. Ego means nothing if you’re unemployed. So why not consider the real insight being “Well, if they’re willing to risk their own jobs to select a different candidate, that candidate must have a lot that they like.” Morris is a vote for Morris, not a consolation prize for Belichik not being enough. The reverence you keep for this guy who has had deplorable results these last few seasons is just confounding. 8) Why are you phrasing your final question as “regret for picking Morris over Belichik”? as if success with Belichik was guaranteed? Why not ask if we had “relief that we didn’t select Belichik.” It’s the little things that are showing your clear thoughts on it. 9) It’s a shame how people are privately wanting Morris to fail, because they don’t want to have to walk back that they didn’t believe in him in the first place. At a minimum, the grace that people are giving Belichik should be the benefit of the doubt they give to Morris. Just remember, it’s Coach Raheem Morris for a reason…and not the reason you clumsily tried to argue in this episode. Overall, do better. Signed, -ATL born, Decatur-bred season ticket holding fan

[@male0kids]

I'm not a Patriot, Brady, or Belichick fan. But, seems to me once the true mover of the team left (Brady), the truth about his coaching was obvious. He did nothing with the Jets as an assistant HC before going to the Patriots and getting Brady. His 6+ Super Bowl appearances experience bought him one playoff appearance (which he got smoked by Bufalo 47-17) after Brady's departure. He couldn't establish relationships with great players other than 3 (and one of those turned out to be a deleter). He had a history of cheating (2 Spygates) that cost him $750,000, his team $1M, 2 draft picks, his QB suspended for 4 games and he was housing a fellon which we all seem to forget. Oh, and don't forget he was running the ship during deflate-gate also. Needless to say, I'm glad for whatever reason, we didn't go that route. You guys would really want to bring this kind of character and ethics into our locker room??? None of his mantras or philosophies have worked worth a damn over the last 3-4 years. SMH! You may as well have brought back Vick after his issues if you were seriously considering this ancient has been. But, as always, great video.

[@jonathansimmons6452]

You honestly thought Brady was the real mover or benefited from being in a great system???? 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@male0kids]

@@jonathansimmons6452 I hear you. I felt the same way until Brady left and the system failed. Not to mention Brady goes on to a different system and continues his success. I said in the beginning I'm not a fan of either, but the proof is in the results.

[@JohnnyR-kt4oo]

@Smittysportsmachine @Rifalcons @BigLowKuntry Interesting saga etc and Coach Rah was destined for this opportunity anyway.

[@FalconsTV]

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[@dravendeleon8625]

What if we traded two of our 3rd round picks to move up higher in the draft and then grab a top Edge or CB and use the 8th pick for BPA