Earthquake in the NFL, Bill Belichik and the Patriots part ways after 24 seasons together!
Day of great upheaval in the NFL! ESPN's Adam Schefter and Mike Reiss report that the Patriots and Bill Belichick have decided to end their history together. According to the two journalists, the news should be officially announced during the day on Thursday.
The decision would have been taken by mutual agreement, after several days of discussions which would have taken place in a cordial climate, without animosity.
With one year left on the coach's contract, the Patriots seem to be willing to let him go without seeking compensation. Nothing very surprising after so many years of good and loyal service.
This means that Bill Belichick is going to be available to any team. Even at 71 years old, the fact that he seeks to remain free proves that he may still want to coach.
Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and the dynasty
It is therefore a separation between the coach and the franchise after 24 seasons together. An exceptional longevity punctuated by numerous titles and what will undoubtedly remain as the greatest dynasty in NFL history.
In New England, Bill Belichick led the team for 24 seasons. His regular season record is 266 wins and 121 losses. But above all, he won 30 playoff games, for only 12 defeats. Enough to glean six Super Bowls.
A reign which remains marked by his association with Tom Brady, the quarterback of all the Patriots' titles.
Over the last four seasons, without Brady, Belichick finished three times with a negative record. With Brady, he simply never finished with more losses than wins.
Manager Bill Belichick in failure
Omnipresent in the management of the workforce and staff, Belichick also seemed to get lost in cronyism, like the coordinator positions, often condemned to permanently return to the hands of men who have already passed through New England: Josh McDaniels, Bill O'Brien, Joe Judge…
If defense, Belichick's area of expertise, has always held up, he has no longer seemed to find the right fuel in attack since Brady's departure. Above all, he did not know how, or want, to open up to the new wave of young coordinators.
The offense wasn't helped by manager Bill Belichick's choices. From Cam Newton to Bailey Zappe to Mac Jones, the franchise seemed orphaned by Brady a little more each week. Approximate draft choices and cautious signings also left the offensive squad without real players capable of making a difference.
Obviously, these recent years marked by the erosion of power will not remain the main memory. Bill Belichick at New England will remain above all one of the most successful coaches in history.