Bill Belichick is the longest-serving franchise coach in the NFL. But that could end in a few weeks.
According to NBC Sports Boston, Robert Kraft and Patriots management have decided to part ways with Bill Belichick at the end of the season.
Journalist Tom Curran reports that the decision took shape after the 10-6 loss to the Colts on November 12 in Frankfurt.
“When they came back from Germany, the conversations I had that week made it clear to me that the decision was made,” says Curran. “They're going to play the rest of the season, and at the end of the year there's going to be a split, for a multitude of reasons. »
The end of the year, because it would obviously be out of the question to thank one of the most successful coaches in history during the campaign.
Bill Belichick traded?
But beyond feelings, there are also matters.
“It has value,” Curran recalls. “He is under contract for next year. NFL Media explained that he signed a contract extension, but it's only for next year. »
Bill Belichick being under contract, one of the possibilities could therefore be to exchange him, like what the Saints did by sending Sean Payton to the Broncos for a first round choice and a second round choice of the Draft.
The Patriots themselves paid a first round pick to the Jets in 2000 to get Belichick.
The other possibility obviously remains the announcement of a retirement, which would allow everyone to save face. But even at 71, does the man in the hoodie really want to leave the NFL fields?
