It’s the end of an era for the New England Patriots as speculation grows about the potential departure of head coach Bill Belichick. Almost everyone within the NFL expects Robert and Jonathan Kraft to move on from Belichick after this season, with the team’s disappointing 3-10 record only intensifying the situation.
Sources have indicated that Belichick is tiring of Kraft’s increasing meddling, starting six years ago with the Jimmy Garoppolo trade and peaking this year with the hiring of Bill O’Brien. While it’s not clear whether the Krafts will have to fire Belichick or if the parting will be mutual, the silence from the team’s ownership has been notable.
Former Patriots Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman have pushed back against reports that Kraft had made up his mind to fire Belichick after a recent loss. However, the team’s 2023 season, the worst in 30 years, is said to have changed the Krafts’ plans.
The future of the Patriots’ head coaching position is uncertain, with Jerod Mayo being seen as a potential candidate, although Titans coach Mike Vrabel has also been named as a “home run hire” for the Krafts. However, the Patriots would likely have to trade for Vrabel, and the team is said to be facing a major rebuild once Belichick departs.
Despite the speculation, Belichick has a two-year extension and Mayo has recently signed a new contract, suggesting that the Krafts initially intended for Belichick to coach for two more years before Mayo takes over. However, the team’s current situation may require the Krafts to make a decision sooner than expected.
As the season winds down, the future of the Patriots remains uncertain. Whether Belichick will be fired or will return for one final year, the Krafts have four weeks to figure everything out. The coming months promise to be a period of transition and upheaval for the Patriots franchise.
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