Dallas Cowboys should throw mountains of moolah at Bill Belichick

Head coaches Jason Garrett and Bill Belichick both have contracts expiring this offseason. This could be the opportunity of a lifetime for the Dallas Cowboys.

It’s widely known that Dallas Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett is in the final year of his current contract with America’s Team. But apparently he’s not alone as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history could also be looking for a new home in 2020.

I’ve always assumed that New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick would retire when quarterback Tom Brady did. Belichick’s already cemented himself as the greatest coach in history by winning six Lombardi trophies in nine Super Bowl appearances. He doesn’t have anything left to prove. But lately, I’ve started to have my doubts.

There have been rumblings for some time about a rift between Brady and Belichick, and between the coach and owner Robert Kraft. Maybe it’s nothing. Rumors are like wind.

On the other hand, there are a few pieces of information that give me pause. The contracts of all-world quarterback Tom Brady and coach Belichick both expire this offseason. Interesting.

But what really gives the story juice is that Brady has put his Brookline home up for sale, and bought a new one outside of Massachusetts. (It’s in Connecticut.) The four-time Super Bowl MVP pooh-poohed speculation that this means he’s leaving the Patriots, but I’m not sure I buy that.

It’s not difficult to speculate. Brady soon won’t own a home within commuting distance of Foxborough, his workplace of 19 years. Maybe he’s retiring (though he insists he wants to play for years to come). Maybe he’ll put himself on the open market in the offseason.

Who knows? But the guy won’t live anywhere near Gillette Stadium. Come on. It doesn’t mean nothing.

Fun question: If Brady’s not on the Patriots next year, how might Belichick respond? He could retire. He’s earned himself some time on the beach. But what if he’s not ready to retire.

What if he feels he still has gas in the tank? Sorry, but I just can’t see the morose Belichick laughing it up as a commentator on Sunday with Terry Bradshaw and the gang.

But there’s another factoid to consider: Coaches’ salaries don’t count towards the salary cap. Which means there could be one heck of a bidding war for Belichick’s services if he does decide to defect.

And who can pay him more than the Cowboys? Nobody. One advantage owner Jerry Jones has always had is his own business acumen. He’s used his smarts to turn the Dallas Cowboys into the most valuable sports franchise in the world, valued at $5 billion. (Amazing, considering they haven’t even been in spitting distance of the Super Bowl in 20 years.)

Would Belichick consider moving to Big D? Maybe. First, there’s the money, which would be record-breaking. ($50 million a year? Higher?) But to lure the greatest coach ever, I think he’d have to see a shot at another Super Bowl. How many teams have a roster with enough octane for the grand quest? 5-10 maybe. The point is that Dallas is surely one of them.

America’s Team sure looks like it’s underperforming this year. Most pundits picked them to be in the Super Bowl hunt before the season began. So, I think Dallas would have to be on the short list.

Belichick would need one more thing to sign on the dotted line, and that might just be the sticking point: autonomy. I just can’t see a coach with such strong control issues going anywhere he didn’t have total sovereignty.

And that’s one thing the Jerry Jones might not be willing to give him. Mr. Jones is as famous for wanting the final say as Belichick is himself.  He may not want to give that up.

But obviously, he should. It’s one thing giving the reins to an unknown quantity. But to Belichick? Jones should beg him to take over.

Anyway, that’s my two cents worth: Throw huge duffels of dollars at Belichick, and promise him anything else he wants. After all, isn’t a Super Bowl worth it?