Is Don Shula's Record Now Safe?

The Atlanta Falcons' surprise hiring of L.A. Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris to become their new head coach should be viewed good news for Miami Dolphins fans, particularly older Dolphins fans.

And it's not because the Dolphins face the Rams at SoFi Stadium next season and Sean McVay now has lost his highly regarded defensive leader, but rather for what it means for the late Don Shula and his legacy.

A big part of that legacy is Shula holding the NFL all-time record for career victories with 347 and the hiring of Morris seemingly putting on hold Bill Belichick's pursuit of that record — perhaps permanently.

Belichick, who stands at 333 career victories, was viewed as a leading contender to become the Falcons' new head coach to replace Arthur Smith after he moved on from the New England Patriots after 23 years.

There are only two head-coaching openings remaining in the NFL after the Carolina Panthers hired Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales and the Falcons hired Morris, the Washington Commanders and the Seattle Seahawks. Belichick interviewed only with the Falcons after his departure from New England.

While it's not impossible that Belichick could end up with one of those two jobs or could resurface as a candidate next year, the reality is that Belichick will be 73 by the start of the 2025 season and there might not be many teams willing to hire a head coach at that age, regardless of his credentials.

Along with the Falcons and Panthers, teams who have hired new head coaches so far this offseason are the L.A. Chargers with Jim Harbaugh, the Las Vegas Raiders with Antonio Pierce (removing the interim tag), the Tennessee Titans with Brian Callahan, and the Patriots replacing Belichick with Jerod Mayo.