Commanders news: Ben Johnson, Dan Quinn, Bill Belichick and OC target

Commanders' final stance on Bill Belichick

It looked for a long time as if Bill Belichick might be heading for the Atlanta Falcons. After team owner Arthur Blank opted to go with Raheem Morris instead, there are just two available openings for the legendary figure in his quest to get straight back into work.

One of those is the Washington Commanders. Rumors were plentiful at the beginning of this year's cycle about Josh Harris making preliminary inquiries regarding the perennial Super Bowl winner. Nothing more emerged as the team looks set to get Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson into the building.

According to Jeff Howe and Steve Buckley of The Athletic, Belichick is considered a long shot for the Commanders or Seattle Seahawks' vacancies. The pair revealed it would take a huge shift in direction to make this unlikely scenario possible. Leaving one of the NFL's greatest-ever coaches on the outside looking in.

"Former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick is viewed as a long shot for the Washington Commanders and Seattle Seahawks coaching vacancies, league sources said, opening up the possibility the second-winningest coach in NFL history could be without a team in 2024. It would take a change of direction for something to happen with the Commanders or Seahawks, according to league sources. The other six head-coaching vacancies this offseason have been filled. If Belichick does not coach in any capacity in 2024, it will end a streak of 49 consecutive seasons on a coaching staff in the NFL. He began his career as a “special assistant” with the Baltimore Colts in 1975 under head coach Ted Marchibroda."

- Jeff Howe & Steve Buckley, The Athletic

There seems to be a changing of the guard this offseason. Belichick, Pete Carroll, and Mike Vrabel won't be on an NFL sideline this season, replaced by younger, more progressive coaches ready to stake their claim. Nothing lasts forever, but it'll be strange to see nonetheless.