NFL Rumors: Bill Belichick’s hot seat, Ravens’ Lamar Jackson replacement, and Lions devastating Raiders
NFL Rumors: Bill Belichick sitting on a hotter seat with Patriots than expected
Given the success that Bill Belichick enjoyed with the New England Patriots as part of his partnership (or whatever word you want to choose) with Tom Brady, the assumption has long been that one of the greatest head coaches in NFL history by almost any measure would be done in Foxborough whenever he wanted to step away.
Somehow, that might not be the case.
Patriots insider Tom Curran of NBC Sports Boston appeared on The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday and dropped a bombshell. He noted that New England owner Robert Kraft “expects success” and that there are now conversations happening within the organization, implying that if Belichick doesn’t find the desired success, he might not be leaving on his own terms after all.
"There is a conversation happening in New England about Bill Belichick.. Robert Kraft expects success and it might not be Bill's decision on when he goes" ~ @tomecurran
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 28, 2023
HOLY SHIT #FEELTHEBEAT #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/o61Lmirrun
In the three years since Brady’s departure, the Patriots have seen a noticeable decline, even with first-round pick Mac Jones taking over. New England is a combined 25-25 over that span and only made the postseason in the 2021 campaign as a wild card team, promptly getting blown out by the Bills in the Wild Card Round thereafter.
With Belichick’s role as both head coach and general manager, those shortcomings undoubtedly come down on him. This roster hasn’t been in great shape since Brady’s departure as a whole — on offense, particularly — and the results have reflected as much.
Even still, the notion of the Patriots ousting Bill Belichick still seems hard to fathom. It is apparently on the table, though, based on this reporting.