At the end of the 2024 NFL season Bill Belichick seemed to have a leg up on the competition for a job as head coach of a team in the NFC South. Now, according to a new report, he might just have his eye on taking over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

At 72 and away from his New England Patriots dynasty, Belichick is certainly enjoying his time away from football. He’s dating – it’s now Instagram official – a 24-year-old former cheerleader. And he’s appearing on various TV shows breaking down plays and being typically Belichickian ruthless about some of the coaching and player blunders in the NFL.

If he returns to coaching next season – chances are good because he wants 26 more wins to surpass Don Shula’s record for all-time wins – he’ll likely get some bites. Unless things drastically turn around, one offer could come from the Dallas Cowboys. Owner Jerry Jones said last offseason he could “certainly see myself working alongside him, no question.”

In the wake of parting ways with the Patriots last Winter, Belichick was thought to be the front-runner to get the Atlanta Falcons job. But it went instead to Raheem Morris, so Belichick went into TV.

Now Pro Football Talk believes Belichick is low-key angling for the Bucs’ job. Why?

On an appearance with Eli and Peyton Manning during last Monday night’s Bucs-Chiefs game, Belichick went out of his way to praise Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht. He worked with Belichick in New England earlier in his career.

“Jason did a great job for me,” Belichick said. “He’s really a great evaluator, a really smart guy. He’s done a great job putting the Bucs together. I really enjoy Jason. He’s a great guy to be around. He’s really done a great job with that franchise.”

Despite numerous injuries – mostly to its top two receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin – Tampa is 4-5 even after the heartbreaking overtime loss in Kansas City. But Mike Florio isn’t convinced Todd Bowles is safe, or that Belichick isn’t already sniffing around the job.

Wrote PFT: “Bill’s comments from the Buccaneers-Chiefs game has prompted speculation in some circles that he has his eye on the Tampa Bay job. … Belichick doesn’t say anything accidentally. It’s possible that Belichick is interested in coaching the Buccaneers next year.”