Bill Belichick will return to the New York Giants in 2018 as head coach to save the franchise, at least according to ESPN's 'bold 2018 offseason' predictions.

ESPN's article seeks to find the 26 boldest predictions for the 2018 season and reuniting Belichick with the Giants just before Tom Brady retires is certainly the boldest call of them all.

26. Bill Belichick will be the New York Giants' next head coach

The reason: Prediction No. 18 had Caserio and McDaniels bailing from New England before the kingdom fell. This prediction flips the script. Belichick becomes the first to leave, allowing the Patriots to continue with Caserio and McDaniels in charge. Belichick gets a new challenge with an organization that remains fond of him from his days as an assistant. The Giants get a coach uniquely equipped to handle whatever might come his way.

The caveat: Why would Belichick leave a championship operation for a floundering one? If he really wanted change, he could have his choice of jobs after Brady retires -- whenever that day comes.

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The Giants once had Belichick in their grasps as the team's defensive coordinator during the Super Bowl seasons under head coach Bill Parcells. While it seems highly unlikely that Belichick would leave the New England Patriots, this would be one of the rare franchises and situations that might attract him. Belichick is still fond of the Giants organization and the team's rebuild would go much faster with him at the helm. In addition to all of that, Belichick could handpick his next franchise quarterback from an attractive group that includes franchise prototypes Josh Rosen and Sam Darnold.