Does trading Bill Belichick actually make sense for the Patriots?

What would the asking price be for Bill Belichick to leave the New England Patriots? 

The asking price for NFL players might be high, but there’s always value on the open market. Is that the same with coaches? More importantly, who’s to say the coach even wants to be moved?
Well, that could be the case for Bill Belichick if his time with the New England Patriots is ending on a sour note.

NBC Sports Peter King pondered such a scenario, where the Patriots sever their ties with Belichick in the coming years. And for the right price, Belichick, 68, could be moved to coach a different team to close out his remaining days as the leader of a franchise.

Perhaps the most iconic head coach trade in NFL history goes back to former and current Raiders coach Jon Gruden. In 2002, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers traded their 2002 first- and second-round picks, 2003 first-round selection and 2004 second-round pick to Oakland for Gruden’s services. It worked in Tampa Bay’s favor as the franchise won its first Super Bowl the following season against … yep, the Raiders.

But why trade a coach in the first place? More than that, what is Belichick truly worth?

Does it make sense to trade Bill Belichick? 

Sitting a 2-5, New England enters a monumental weekend against the winless New York Jets. Any loss from here until the end of the month likely eliminates them from the postseason for the first time since 2008.

If Patriots owner Robert Kraft looks at the proponents of his roster, the dynasty of the 2000s is likely reaching its final days. Add in expiring contracts of veterans like Stephon Gilmore, Devin McCourty and Dont’a Hightower following the 2021 season, there’s very little for Belichick to work with.

Even with all that knowledge, that still might not be enough to justify trading Belichick. Keep in mind that while he too could be reaching the end of his coaching career, he also served as the team’s general manager. Although he could step away from the play-calling, that doesn’t mean he’ll want to leave the front office life any time soon.

Ultimately, is this move based off fear of losing others around the organization? Josh McDaniels, the team’s offensive coordinator, has been on a hot name on the head coaching market over the past three seasons. After his agreement and later backing out of becoming the Indianapolis Colts’ new head coach, some seem to think he’s New England’s next head coach-in-waiting.

Could he be tired of waiting in the wings?

The same goes Nick Caserio, the team’s director of player personnel. The Houston Texans have already tried steering him away from Foxborough after adding Jack Esterby in 2019. As one of the hottest names on the general manager market, could another team entice Caserio to take over their front office away from the AFC East?

Belichick leaving New England would be a rental option for any team. What else does he have left to prove? Teams aren’t ready to give up multiple early picks for a coach who could be ready to hang up the whistle any day now, meaning his stock is low. Would New England be willing to take maybe a second and third to get this deal done?

Unlike Gruden, a blockbuster trade won’t happen for Belichick, even with all his accolades. For Kraft, if he’s even considering such an option, he’ll have decide if the six-time Super Bowl coach is a part of the rebuilding plans. If not, move him for what you can or let him end things on his own terms at Gillette Stadium.