Retired New England Patriots legend Rob Gronkowski raised eyebrows when he not too long ago mentioned he believes head coach Invoice Belichick is “gonna come again” to the group for one more season.
Which will have been wishful considering.
Based on Darren Hartwell of NBC Sports activities Boston, well-known Patriots insider Tom E. Curran reported throughout an look on the NBC Sports activities Boston “Arbella Early Version” program that group proprietor Robert Kraft made the ultimate name to half methods with Belichick following the membership’s 10-6 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Germany on Nov. 12.
“Once they got here out of Germany, conversations I had that week made it very clear {that a} resolution was made,” Curran defined. “They have been going to play out the string, and on the finish of the yr there could be a parting of the methods, for quite a lot of causes.”
Whereas Belichick guided the Patriots to 6 Tremendous Bowl championships throughout his tenure, he hasn’t earned a single playoff victory since quarterback Tom Brady left the franchise as a free agent after the 2019 season. Moreover, Belichick’s incapability to accumulate or develop a long-term substitute for Brady is a giant cause New England will miss the postseason for a 3rd time in 4 years.
“Even when they win out, they nonetheless find yourself with seven wins, out of the postseason, trending within the flawed path,” Patriots insider Phil Perry added concerning the New England-Belichick relationship through the section. “And it does not erase all the personnel errors that [Curran] and I’ve been speaking about for a very long time right here. So, I am certain the Krafts are that and likewise this offseason and all of the cap area they’ve and what seems to be like might be a top-three decide within the draft, and it will be truthful for them to ask, ‘Is Invoice Belichick the suitable man to steer us by that offseason into 2024 and past?'”
Belichick reportedly is signed by the 2024 marketing campaign, hasn’t given any indication he’ll retire this winter and has been linked with a number of groups that both already are or will quickly be on the lookout for new head coaches. Curran mentioned that Belichick’s deal “wouldn’t be an obstacle to [the Patriots] altering course,” which suggests Kraft could not attempt to commerce the 71-year-old to a distinct membership following Week 18 if Belichick pushes again in opposition to his subsequent employer giving up even a single draft asset to land his providers.
Belichick will subsequent information the 3-10 Patriots into this Sunday’s house recreation in opposition to the 8-5 Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. As of Tuesday morning, oddschecker listed New England as a 9.5-point underdog for that matchup.
