Bill Belichick said he "absolutely" intends to be coaching the Patriots during the 2018 season, further dousing any embers that suggest he could become the head coach of the Giants. That possibility glowed brightly late last week when an ESPN report suggested a power struggle and dysfunction within the Patriots' hierarchy of Belichick, owner Robert Kraft and quarterback Tom Brady. But Kraft put the kibosh on the idea over the weekend, and Belichick did the same in a conference call on Monday.
Asked if he had any interest in the Giants' vacancy, Belichick said: "Right now my interest is trying to do the best I can for our football team to get ready for Saturday night against Tennessee."
The Patriots host the Titans in an AFC divisional playoff game.
"That's where my total focus is," he said.
Belichick then was asked if his intention is to be back with the Patriots next season, to which he gave his one-word answer.
"Absolutely."
The Giants may have gotten an advantage if they want to hire another Patriots coach. The Bears hired Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy as their head coach, a job for which Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels was a candidate. That leaves McDaniels with only two suitors, the Colts and the Giants.
The Giants also will dive back into the interview process after two days without speaking to any candidates. Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks is scheduled to meet Tuesday with the team's decision-makers at their facility in New Jersey, and former Broncos associate head coach Eric Studesville is scheduled for Wednesday.
Wilks reportedly will interview with the Cardinals on Wednesday, which left the Panthers players and coaches fresh off their playoff loss to the Saints bracing for his departure.
"Coach Wilks has earned that right," Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis said Monday. "He's done a tremendous job with coming in and taking over this defense, and really giving us a chance to be successful."
After the two upcoming interviews have been completed, the Giants will begin the process of focusing on one or two candidates. They already interviewed McDaniels, Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur and their own defensive coordinator and interim head coach, Steve Spagnuolo, last week.
Perhaps, despite his assurances, they'll also be faced with considering Belichick at some point.
Many speculated that Belichick, who was a Giants assistant coach from 1979-90, might be interested in returning to the Giants. His situation in New England has him with a 40-year-old quarterback (albeit one playing like he is 25) without a potential heir in the backup job and facing the possible loss of two top lieutenants, Patricia and McDaniels.
Carl Banks, a former Giant who played under Belichick, told Newsday last week that he believes Belichick still "bleeds blue" and that he probably would consider the Giants' opening.
"I think if he had to have another dream job outside of the one he has, I think in the depths of his heart the Giants are still there," Banks said.
Belichick's latest comments indicate he will be staying in New England. But he is the same coach who resigned from a head-coaching job on the back of a napkin one day after accepting the position 18 years ago with the Jets.
Minds change. Nothing is "absolute." So until the Giants job is formally filled by someone else _ and possibly for a while after that _ there still likely will be wisps of smoke coming from the Belichick possibility.
