Bill Belichick could overtake George Halas on the NFL coaching win list against Bears

CHICAGO — For the past 29 years in NFL history, “Papa Bear” has been second on a prestigious list when it comes to head coaches.

That’s all-time overall wins, a record George Halas held until 1993, when he was overtaken by longtime Colts and Dolphins head coach Don Shula, who finished the regular season and playoffs with 347 victories.

Halas’ 324 has been second since, but now he has company and could be third in a week from Monday. Additionally, it could come at the expense of the team he helped found over a century ago.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick earned his 324th victory as head coach in the NFL in New England’s 38-15 triumph over the Browns in Cleveland on Sunday, level with Halas in second place.

Belichick, a six-time Super Bowl champion as head coach, could overtake “Papa Bear” on that list when the Patriots host the Bears on Monday night at Gillette Stadium on Oct. 24.

Belichick first accumulated those wins as the Browns’ head coach from 1991 to 1995, including a playoff appearance in 1994.

In 2000, he took over as head coach for the Patriots, where he had an incredible run in New England, during which the team made 18 playoff games and won nine AFC championships and six titles.

The Super Bowl win total is the highest for a coach in league history, while Belichick also has the postseason winning record at 31.

As head coach from 1920-1929, 1933-1942, 1946-1955 and 1958-1967, Halas had all 324 wins with the Bears and led the team to eight NFL championships.