Longtime Patriots head coach Bill Belichick will meet with Patriots owner Robert Kraft, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss. The report sparks nothing new as it’s customary for ownership, general managers, and coaches to usually meet at the end of the season.
There’s a lot of speculation on Bill Belichick’s future; however, at the moment, according to several reports, Robert Kraft has not made a decision yet,
However, Tom Curran of NBC Sports Boston reported Robert Kraft “has been made” in the season regarding Belichick’s future. So, many reports, rumors, and unconfirmed news are circulating around social media. The only confirmed news regarding Belichick’s future is that he will meet with Robert Kraft on Monday.
The Patriots are staring down the barrel of their worst finish since before the Belichick era. The team is 4-12 heading into their regular season finale against the Jets. The Patriots will now miss the playoffs for the third time in four seasons. Ever since six-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady opted to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019, the Patriots have been underforming.
Since then, the Patriots have gone 29-37 and haven’t won a playoff game in five years. To make matters worse, the Patriots earned their first last-place finish in the AFC East since 2000.
Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reported that Bill Belichick is coaching his last season with the Patriots.
“Sources across the NFL believe Belichick is coaching his final games in New England, while his manner of departure, where he would go, and who would succeed him all remain unclear.”
After the 2020 season concluded, the Patriots were searching for a quarterback. The Patriots thought they had found their answer in Mac Jones. Jones finished second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting and was named a Pro Bowl alternate after leading the 10-7 Patriots to the playoffs. However, ever since then, it went downhill.
A big problem for Patriots fans is the amount of control Bill Belichick has over personnel decisions. Belichick has been the Patriots’ de-facto general manager, and many are starting to second-guess that decision.
The Patriots haven’t had much success in the draft and free agency. So, it begs the question: will Belichick step down from his GM duties?
NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported Belichick is willing to step back from being the GM and focus solely on coaching the team. Other reports from NFL Network have noted that Robert Kraft is unlikely to fire Bill Belichick unless something drastic happens.
Belichick, 71, started his coaching career in 1975 with the Baltimore Colts. He spent time with the Lions and Broncos before joining the Giants and was eventually promoted to defensive coordinator. Then, in 1991, the Browns hired Belichick as head coach, but he only lasted five years before being fired. He joined Bill Parcells as an assistant and was expected to replace him but was traded and hired by the Patriots instead. Belichick has tallied a 302-163 record in his career and eight Super Bowl rings.
There are lots of questions to be answered, but for now, Patriots fans can anticapte change to take place in the next several months.
My name is Ben Belford-Peltzman and I am the creator and writer of The Patriots Beat. I am a 17-year kid who is an optimistic pessimist about the City of Champions. I started The Patriots Beat in August of 2022 and never expected to grow so much but here we are. Feel free to email Thepatriotsbeat@gmail.com with any inquires.
