The End of the Belichick Era in New England?
The long-standing relationship between Patriots owner Robert Kraft and head coach Bill Belichick appears to be reaching its end, according to a recent report. Tom Curran of NBC Sports Boston has indicated that Kraft has already made the decision to part ways with Belichick after the team’s Week 10 loss to the Colts in Frankfurt.
“Conversations I had that week made it very clear that a decision was made,” Curran said. “They were going to play out the string, and at the end of the year, there would be a parting of the ways for a variety of reasons.”
Curran also suggested that the parting of the ways could potentially involve a de facto trade of Belichick to a new team, which could explain the decision not to fire him during the season.
Since the loss to the Colts, the Patriots suffered defeats against the Giants and the Chargers before bouncing back with a win against the Steelers. However, Curran believes that the win in Pittsburgh may not be enough to change the decision that has already been made.
The Patriots currently have a 3-10 record, and even a strong finish to the season may not be enough to salvage the situation. Kraft had previously expressed his disappointment with the team’s performance this season, emphasizing the significance of the disappointing 2-7 start.
Regardless, the final decision may be influenced by Belichick’s own wishes. It remains to be seen whether he wants to stay on with the Patriots or seek a fresh start elsewhere.
Although nothing is set in stone until the end of the season, it seems increasingly likely that a change is imminent after nearly a quarter of a century with the same head coach. The future of the Patriots organization hangs in the balance as the 2023 season draws to a close, with the potential for significant changes on the horizon.