It’s hard imagining Bill Belichick cementing his legacy with any other franchise. Six Super Bowls, three Coach of the Year awards, the greatest partnership with a quarterback in NFL history. But once upon a time, the future Hall of Famer was a free agent and up for grabs.

… And passed on by one of the greatest owners the game has seen.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Belichick once approached him at a ski resort in the 90’s after the Cleveland Browns fired him. Jones revealed Belichick told him “I can coach… don’t forget about me.” He admitted after that he’s “thought about that many times” since it happened.

 

It’s worth noting that Belichick’s firing came after the 1995 season; the same season Dallas won its third Super of the decade. Head coach Barry Switzer ultimately resigned following the 1997 season, but Belichick was scooped up by the New York Jets after serving as the Patriots’ defensive backs coach in 1996. He ultimately returned to New England in 2000 (and the rest was history!!!!).

 

Belichick and Jones both love control so who knows how a marriage between the two would have worked out. But jeez, it’s scary to think about what could have been if the latter had even just considered hiring Belichick onto his staff after their conversation.

Too late!

(H/T Jon Machota)