Bill Belichick still 'fully invested' in NFL coaching return next season - despite whirlwind romance with 23-year-old cheerleader

Bill Belichick is 'fully invested' in returning to the NFL coaching ranks, a prominent reporter has said, as the legendary leader prepares for a season away from the sidelines.

Belichick and the New England Patriots parted ways after 24 seasons in January, and he was not scooped up for a different head coaching gig afterwards, despite interviews with the Atlanta Falcons.

Nonetheless, the 72-year-old 'wants to coach again' according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, who made it clear that the eight-time Super Bowl winner (six as a head coach) isn't thinking about retirement.   

'He's staying engaged in the game,' he began on the Rich Eisen Show. 'He's showing up to roasts. He's now going to be on 'Inside the NFL.' We've seen him showing up to different events, in high school, and at the Manning Passing Academy. We saw him at the University of Washington, where his son Steve is now the defensive coordinator.'

'He'll be trying to remind you that he's not Darth Vader,' Pelissero continued. 'That there's more to Bill Belichick. He's done a good job of that so far through his media stuff.'

As noted by Pelissero, Belichick will still be around the game next season as an analyst on 'Inside the NFL' - alongside Super Bowl-winning safety Ryan Clark, Pro Bowl wide receiver Chad Johnson and two-time Super Bowl-winning defensive end Chris Long.

But the Patriots icon apparently won't be content just talking about the action for too long. 

'He wants to pursue the all-time wins record,' Pelissero said. 'Those are things that really matter a lot to Bill Belichick.'

Currently, he is the third-winningest regular season head coach of all-time, trailing Don Shula (328 wins) and George Halas (318).

Belichick is 26 behind Shula's record, with 302. 

Pelissero's Belichick update comes amid the coach's high-profile romance with 23-year-old Jordon Hudson.

The pair, who have been spotted vacationing together in Nantucket this summer, went public with their relationship last month - reportedly after dating since 2022.

TMZ reported that the pair met on a flight in 2021, and began quietly dating after Belichick ended his longtime relationship with Linda Holliday. 

Their age-gap relationship has caused significant controversy, though an insider has claimed Hudson has made Belichick 'realize there's more to life than football.'