Bill Belichick is very upset about NFL rule that unsettles teams in Super Bowl fight
The comment comes after Ben Johnson decided to leave the Detroit Lions for the Chicago Bears.
The six-time Super Bowl champion, Bill Belichick, suggests struggling teams shouldn’t be allowed to poach coaching staff from sides in the NFL Playoffs, believing it’s an unnecessary distraction in the quest for the championship.
The 72-year-old’s comments come after Ben Johnson decided to take up the head coach job with the Chicago Bears, days after the Detroit Lions were dumped out in the divisional game by the Washington Commanders.
Belichick, who has five decades of coaching experience, suggests it can upset the chemistry and balance of the team and preparation for games because it’s only human nature to have your attention averted by an offer.
“I’ve never been a big fan of it,” Belichick said to the Let’s Go! Podcast. “I think it’s really unfortunate when you have a team, including the coaches and the coordinators, worked so hard all year to get to the playoffs, to have an opportunity to play in conference championships and Super Bowls, and then they’re totally distracted by another team.
“Who was a bad team, who has a coaching change, infringing on that team that’s trying to get to a championship by hiring one of their top coaches.
“Nobody would be happy if that was a player, but for a coach, that’s also very disruptive, especially when you’re the play caller.
“It’s just human nature to be distracted by a potential job opening, staff and change of lifestyle from a coordinator to a head coach when you’re trying to prepare and call plays in a critical game.”
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When is the NFC Championship?
With Johnson as the offensive coordinator, the Lions scored 564 points throughout the regular season and were widely tipped to make the Super Bowl to represent the NFC against an AFC rival.
However, a stunning 45-31 defeat to Jayden Daniels‘ Commanders left their season in tatters and their dreams in ashes.
Daniels and Washington will now take on the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship game on January 26, at the Lincoln Financial Field. Kick-off is from 15:00 ET/12:00 PT. The broadcaster is yet to be determined.