Interesting: Bill Belichick spotted in Philadelphia during Eagles bye week as coaching rumors heat up

As the Philadelphia Eagles head into their bye week, the buzz around head coach Nick Sirianni’s future grows louder.

With the team sitting at 2-2, questions about Sirianni’s job security are ramping up, especially after last season’s disastrous finish.

Last year’s shaky ending left many wondering if Sirianni was the right man for the job. Despite the doubts, the Eagles front office stuck with him, a decision that seemed justified at the time.

But with the 2024 season off to a frustrating start — thanks in part to a wave of injuries — there’s no avoiding the heat that’s building around him.

The Eagles will likely emerge from the bye healthier ahead of their Week 6 clash with the Cleveland Browns, which could be the turning point in getting the season back on track.

Still, the rumors of Bill Belichick taking over in Philadelphia are impossible to ignore.

On Thursday’s episode of “The Pat McAfee Show,” McAfee mentioned that Belichick is a “popular” name being floated as a replacement for Sirianni.

Bill Belichick to the Philadelphia Eagles is VERY popular on the internet right now #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/dLOJmrMzyk

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 3, 2024

Belichick recently gave his assessment of the Eagles’ slow start:

“Look, they’ve lost [eight)] of their last [11] games. So, when you sit there and say, ‘Well, they’re one of the best teams in the league,’ I don’t know. Being 3-[8], that’s kind of a stretch if you look at what’s happened recently.

But they do have a lot of good players and have a good team. I’m not saying they’re not a good team, I’m just saying they haven’t done very well lately.

Barkley’s an explosive guy, but he can only do so much. We saw that when he was with the [New York Giants]. Once you put [DeVonta Smith] and [A.J. Brown] out there along with [Dallas] Goedert and Barkley, you have one offense.

You start taking a couple of those guys out of there, it just becomes a little bit watered down … Trying to play catch-up and throwing the ball all over the lot 45 times is just not a good formula for any team, but I don’t think that’s really the way the Eagles want to play or should play.”

"I think the bye week is probably at a good time for the Eagles..

They've lost ten of their last thirteen games..

They've gotta play better defense and they gotta stop turning the ball over" ~ Bill Belichick #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/3kXr6fywu5

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 30, 2024

To add additional fuel to the fire, Belichick was allegedly spotted leaving the Philadelphia International Airport this week.

Our “sources” caught Bill Belichick leaving the Philadelphia International Airport this evening. 👀
Could it be for “Inside the NFL” on @TheCW or is he here to meet with Jeffrey Lurie?
You make the call… pic.twitter.com/Rr8OLTsRCH

— Fox Sports PHL Gambler (@FoxPHLGambler) October 2, 2024

Are the Eagles secretly meeting with Belichick behind closed doors? Doubtful. Belichick was likely fulfilling his obligations with NFL Films in Mount Laurel, New Jersey — but you never know.

The Eagles flirted with the idea of bringing in Belichick last offseason, and while they ultimately stayed with Sirianni, the door remains open if the team’s fortunes don’t improve.

“Owner Jeffrey Lurie and general manager Howie Roseman, both Belichick fans, still strongly believed in their current head coach, Nick Sirianni, who over a stretch went 26-5. But Lurie thought it was worth asking a confidant of his about Belichick. A source close to Belichick said the coach would have been interested.” — ESPN

No one expects a midseason coaching change, but things can change fast in the NFL. Keep an eye on this one as the season progresses.

“Philly fans love me. Fly Eagles Fly.” – Bill Belichick pic.twitter.com/KuIvD5uBEv

— Crossing Broad (@CrossingBroad) September 4, 2024

Mandatory Credit: Yong Kim | Philadelphia Inquirer