Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton apparently came very close to presenting a plan that would've allowed Bill Belichick to break Don Shula's record of 347 career wins.
Payton almost pitched a proposal to Broncos owner Greg Penner that would've resulted in Belichick being named the team's head coach following his exit from the New England Patriots in 2024, according to ESPN's Seth Wickersham. Payton reportedly considered temporarily stepping down to become the assistant head coach, allowing Belichick to chase the NFL's all-time career wins record before Payton would retake the head coaching role once Belichick surpassed the milestone.
The plan ultimately never materialized because it was too complicated, per Wickersham.
Belichick sits second on the league's all-time wins list with 333 victories over his 29-year career. The 74-year-old guided the Patriots to six Super Bowl titles and was named Coach of the Year three times across 24 seasons with the franchise. He also spent five campaigns as the Cleveland Browns' head coach (1991-95).
In 2025, Belichick became the head coach at North Carolina after struggling to land another NFL coaching job. He guided the Tar Heels to a 4-8 record in his collegiate coaching debut.
Payton and Belichick share a mutual respect that dates back to their time working under Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells.
Payton has posted a 33-21 record over three campaigns in Denver. Last season, he guided the Broncos to the AFC's top seed and an appearance in the conference championship game against the New England Patriots. Team ownership rewarded Payton in June with a five-year contract extension that runs through the 2030 campaign.
