Collage of Bill Belichick, Bill O'Brien, and Matt CasselBill Belichick, Bill O’Brien, Matt Cassel (via Getty Images/X)


Bill Belichick is one of the most accomplished coaches to have ever stepped foot in the NFL. His total of 8 NFL Super Bowl rings (two as a member of the Giants staff, and of course, the six he won coaching the New England Patriots) and his “no goofing off” attitude make him so revered.

Belichick coached many players throughout his 20-plus years as a bench boss, including quarterback Matt Cassel, who played behind Tom Brady from 2005 to 2008. The Patriots made the playoffs twice during Cassel’s time there.

As mentioned, the former NFL head coach turned analyst was known for his strict locker room. So much so that when former Patriots position coach Bill O’Brien joined Julian Edelman on his ‘Games with Names‘ podcast and told a story about Cassel and his former head coach, Edelman couldn’t hold his laughter.

O’Brien told the story of Cassel calling out his head coach for having smelly feet during a quarterback meeting. It was widely known, especially in the Patriots locker room, that Belichick never wore socks in his shows, which could be why his feet smelled.

Bill Belichick Has ‘Smelly Feet’ According To Matt Cassel

O’Brien prefixed the story by telling Edelman that Cassel was, and still is, one of the funniest players to have ever played in the NFL. He then went on to say that Belichick would hold the quarterback meetings later in the week, and he would let his dogs lose.

In the small quarterback room, O’Brien said Cassel randomly asked, “What is that smell?” Following a little bit of silence, he eventually pointed to Belichick, asking, “Bill, is that your feet?” O’Brien prefixed this by noting that Cassel didn’t care who he made feel uncomfortable.

According to the Patriots’ former position coach, Belichick turned to Matt Cassel and said, “Cassel, just shut the f*** up,” before continuing his meeting. Edelman found the comment hilarious and couldn’t contain his laughter.

While Belichick may not be coaching in the NFL this season, his strict attitude hasn’t changed much. Who knows, while he may never be back in New England, maybe we see Belichick back coaching in the NFL in 2025!