Falcons fly ‘top candidate’ Bill Belichick in on private jet

Bill Belichick got the VIP treatment in Atlanta.

The Falcons chartered one of team owner Arthur Blank’s private planes to fly Belichick to Atlanta, where he is set to have a second interview this weekend for their head coaching vacancy, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.

Belichick, who agreed to part ways with the Patriots after 24 seasons together on Jan. 11, reportedly had dinner with Blank on Thursday and is Atlanta’s “top candidate” as they continue conversations with the future Hall of Fame coach.

The six-time Super Bowl winner will meet with Falcons CEO Rich McKay and general manager Terry Fontenot sometime this weekend, according to Sports Illustrated, which reported that Belichick is the only candidate the Falcons have interviewed twice.

Belichick, 71, was also the only candidate to interview in person for the head coach job in Atlanta, while the other interviews were conducted virtually, per The Athletic.

The Falcons have also interviewed Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, Ravens assistant head coach/defensive line coach Anthony Weaver, Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson, Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks and Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero.

Blank and McKay reportedly are confident the Falcons can win with their current roster but think they need help at quarterback.

CBS NFL insider Josina Anderson reported Thursday that she’s “expecting Belichick to become the Falcons’ next head coach … barring a snag in negotiations or a future development.”

The Falcons fired head coach Arthur Smith just hours after the team’s embarrassing 48-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints in the season finale on Jan. 7.

Smith had a 21-30 record over three seasons with zero playoff appearances.

The next week, Fontenot was named GM, and McKay said he expected him to retain a 50 percent power share in the organization, “depending on the coach,” according to The Athletic.

It’ll be interesting to see what comes out of Belichick’s second meeting with Atlanta.

The 71-year-old coach had complete control over personnel and the roster during his entire 24-year tenure with the Patriots.

The Patriots finished this season at the bottom of the AFC East with a 4-13 record, the franchise’s worst since 1992.

During his end-of-season press conference, Belichick sounded open to considering conceding control over the team’s personnel in Foxborough to focus on head coaching responsibilities.