In the latest development in the Bill Belichick saga, the Patriots could be prepared to part ways with the veteran coach following the 2023 season.
New England reportedly had already made "a decision" on Belichick’s future after the 10—6 loss to the Colts in Germany on November 12, according to team insider Tom Curran.
“When they came out of Germany, conversations I had that week made it very clear that a decision was made. 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 said Monday on NBC Sports Boston's Arbella Early Edition,
In that ugly loss to Indy, Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe threw an interception apiece, and the Pats would suffer their then-third straight loss going into the bye week. New England put up two more pitiful offensive performances in losses to the Giants and Chargers before upsetting the Steelers on the road last week.
Despite a resolute prime-time win over Pittsburgh, and regardless of how the rest of the season plays out, Belichick’s fate in Foxborough may already be sealed, per Curran's report.
Curran noted that heavy blowout defeats to the Cowboys and Saints earlier this year also may have done in the future Hall-of-Fame coach. Additionally, Belichick's rumored secret offseason extension wouldn’t necessarily affect owner Robert Kraft's ultimate decision.
“[Belichick's] under contract for another year, which we reported after NFL media reported there was a long-term extension in place that would keep Bill locked up long-term. It’s only through next year, so that would not be an impediment to them changing course, and it had gone too far,” Curran explained
Belichick has won six Super Bowls in his 23-year tenure as New England’s coach, but is barreling toward a career-worst record in 2023. The Patriots (3—10) sit in last place in the AFC East and will face a tough matchup against the Chiefs next Sunday.
