The Bill Belichick-New England Patriots saga has taken yet another surprising turn.
Earlier this week, Tom E. Curran of NBC Sports Boston reported that the Patriots had already made the decision to part ways with Belichick following their 10-6 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Germany last month.
But in an update, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the Patriots have not made a decision on Belichick’s future. According to Rapoport, a strong finish by the Patriots might convince owner Robert Kraft to bring him back in 2024:
“The fate of Bill Belichick as head coach of the New England Patriots has not yet been decided.
While the expectation is that a decision on his future will play out over the next month, sources also say it could take longer than that…
Sources say not only has owner Robert Kraft not come to a firm conclusion on what will happen next with his head-coaching situation, but the way New England finishes could go a long way in determining what’s next…
Either way, expect a period of evaluation when the regular season ends, with no immediate conclusion on Belichick coming…
Firing Belichick outright appears to be the least likely. A potential mutual parting would be an option. The Patriots could also hope to receive compensation from another interested team in exchange for the rights to Belichick, but the coach would have to be on board with whatever options there are. Or, Belichick could stay for the 2024 season.”
Belichick has led the Patriots to six Super Bowl championships over his 24-year tenure with the organization, but he has struggled to rebuild the club in the post-Tom Brady era. The Patriots have already clinched their third losing season in four years, and 2023 will mark the franchise’s fifth straight year without a playoff victory.
For a while, it felt like Belichick’s departure from the Pats was a practical sure-thing. But it looks like he can still buy himself more time with the organization, should the club finish 2023 on a high note.
