ATLANTA (AP) -- Bill Belichick has been mostly coy about his relationship with Rams coach Sean McVay, saying only that he had met him and that he had a lot of respect for the job the 33-year-old, first-time head coach has done in Los Angeles.
But according to McVay, he and the coach of five-time Super Bowl champion Patriots have become texting buddies -- sort of.
McVay says he received a congratulatory text from Belichick after the Rams' 38-31 victory over the Vikings back on Sept. 27.
"For him to take the time to say congratulations with all the things he's got going on, it means a lot," McVay said at Monday's media night at State Farm Arena.
The coaches met for the first time when the Patriots held a joint practice with the Redskins in 2014. McVay was in his first season as the Redskins' offensive coordinator at the time.
If Los Angeles beats New England on Sunday, McVay will become the youngest coach to win a Super Bowl. Belichick can become the oldest to win one at age 66.
