New Reports: Belichick Expressing 'Doubt' About Patriots Future; Potential NFL Suitors?
As the New England Patriots prepare for what could be the final road game of one of the most epic eras in NFL history, Bill Belichick is reportedly also preparing for the end.
Publicly - per his DNA - the Pats' legendary coach has offered little toward rumors and speculation about this being the final season of his 24-year career in Foxboro. Privately, however, there are new reports claiming he's telling friends and even assistant coaches that he isn't confident about returning in 2024.
According to a report this week from Boston Sports Journal’s Mike Giardi, Belichick “has expressed doubt about his future in New England to the staff at various points over the last few weeks.”
Cred: Boston Globe
Owner Robert Kraft has been eerily mum on Belichick's future, and by all accounts the two haven't held long discussions about the future. The 4-11 Patriots, who are trending toward their worst season in 30 years, face the Buffalo Bills Sunday in their last road game of the season.
They host the New York Jets Jan. 7 at Gillette Stadium in what could be Belichick's Foxboro farewell.
“If he won’t survive, I think this is a massive misstep by (Robert and Jonathan Kraft),” Giardi wrote. “They could turn the final week against the Jets into a celebration of all Bill’s accomplishments here and guarantee a full house for a meaningless game. Instead, by dragging it out, they risk turning and burning Belichick on Black Monday. That doesn’t feel right to me.”
ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano added to the chorus this week, reporting that Belichick’s time with the Patriots might have run its course. If not back in New England next season, Graziano said as many as seven NFL teams could be interested in Belichick.
“I put it at seven. Three are already open — the Raiders, Panthers and Chargers — and we expect an opening in Washington,” Graziano wrote. I also think the Patriots are likely to move on from Bill Belichick, and people have had their eye on Chicago for a while, though the Bears are playing like a team that’s trying to save its coach’s job, so Matt Eberflus could potentially survive this.”
