Bill Belichick is reportedly set to hold a second interview with the Atlanta Falcons this weekend - although he's not the only man in line for the head coaching job.
Belichick's 24-year tenure with the New England Patriots ended last week as the iconic head coach announced his departure in a press conference.
The future Hall of Fame coach has no plans to retire from the NFL though and teams have been positioning themselves to take a chance on the Patriots legend.
It quickly emerged that the Falcons, who fired Arthur Smith earlier this month, were regarded as the frontrunners for Belichick's next job.
Bill Belichick is looking for his next job in the NFL
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He held an introductory interview with Falcons' team owner Arthur Black about the job and it now seems as though discussions will step up a notch this weekend.
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Belichick will hold a second interview with the Falcons in the next few days.
As well as meeting again with Black, Belichick will also reportedly meet with Falcons CEO Rich McKay and general manager Terry Fontenot.
However, the Falcons are reportedly keeping their options open with a long list of candidates for the vacant head coach position.
Jim Harbaugh, Mike MacDonald, Brian Callahan, Steve Wilks, Antonio Pierce, Ejiro Evero and Anthony Weaver are also said to be in the running for the Falcons job.
The Dallas Cowboys were reportedly seen as an option for Belichick as well.
But that job is no longer available as they decided to bring back Mike McCarthy despite the Cowboys' disappointing wildcard play-off loss to the Green Bay Packers.
No official decision has been made for Belichick's next job, but his second interview with the Falcons is seen as significant.
The 71-year-old's departure from the Patriots last week led to a raft of tributes on social media with Tom Brady sending his former coach a touching message.
"I’m incredibly grateful to have played for the best coach in the history of the NFL," Brady wrote on Instagram.
Bill Belichick announced his departure from the New England Patriots last week
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"He was a great leader for the organisation, and for all of the players who played for him.
"We accomplished some amazing things over a long period of time, many of which will be hard to replicate.
"He worked every day to help us achieve the ultimate goal, in the ultimate team sport.
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Arthur Smith was fired by the Atlanta Falcons earlier this month
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"And, although we were successful, some of the greatest lessons I learned were in the moments where we faced the most challenging adversities.
"He set the tone for the organization to never falter in the face of adversity, and to do what we could do, and what was in our control, which was to go out and DO OUR JOB.
"I could never have been the player I was without you Coach Belichick. I am forever grateful. And I wish you the best of luck in whatever you choose next."
