ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky: New England Patriots, Bill Belichick To Mutually Part Ways
The New England Patriots embarrassed themselves in the international arena on Sunday, falling to the Indianapolis Colts, 10-6.
It was an assault on the eyes of spectators abroad and fans at home, culminating in two spectacularly bad interceptions in the game’s final minutes. Starting quarterback Mac Jones was benched, again. Backup Bailey Zappe wasn’t any better.
The hours since have seen even more calls for the Jones era to be over in New England, with a caveat. Head coach Bill Belichick seems increasingly unwelcome back home.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick's job security has rapidly declined this season.
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That speculation found itself on ESPN’s airwaves when analyst Dan Orlovsky joined “The Pat McAfee Show.”
After McAfee brought up a report about the possibility of a mutual parting of ways, he insinuated that Belichick would coach elsewhere, likely holding the general manager position as well.
“I’ve heard that,” Orlovsky said. “I’ve heard more and more of that over the past few weeks. I’m not a reporter … I have heard that that’s gonna be the case and it’s kind of, who knows the likelihood of it, I’ve heard that it’s gonna happen and I’ve heard the location is already kind of determined as well.”
Orlovsky refused to elaborate, mocking the show’s attempts to guess. He reminded them that he was not a reporter, and his comments were merely what he’d heard.
Naturally, the next step is anticipating where Belichick, 71, will spend his final football days.
The Washington Commanders make sense, with a new owner looking to make a splash and a lame-duck head coach in Ron Rivera—but how willing is he to endure another rebuild?
Another destination, proposed on the show, was the Los Angeles Chargers. Boasting an elite quarterback and more talent than most vacancies, Belichick would have to deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, but that won’t stop Hollywood from being a top coaching vacancy, should Brandon Staley be fired.
With New England’s season all but over and Belichick’s seat hotter than ever, a move feels increasingly likely, as unbelievable as that would’ve sounded just a few years ago. Life without a franchise quarterback moves pretty fast, even for the best to ever don the play sheet and headset.
