NFL Insider: Bill Belichick Getting 'Special Treatment' From New England Patriots
As the New England Patriots attempt to move on from their 21-17 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders that plunged them to their worst start since 1995 at 1-5, they must also now face job security questions. Not only are many questioning starting quarterback Mac Jones's long-term future, but also the status of legendary coach Bill Belichick.
While it seems almost out of the question that the Patriots will move on from Belichick mid-season, a recent report from ESPN's Adam Schefter revealed a new kind of special treatment that the six-time Super Bowl-winning coach could receive after the season.
“First of all, I think he’s treated differently, as he should be, than any other coach,” Schefter said on The Pat McAfee Show on Monday. “On a Monday or Sunday night after the season ends, we’ll get three, four, five, six firings of head coaches, and I just don’t think you’re going to get one of these statements (after) the last regular-season game where the Patriots are firing Bill Belichick.
“I just don’t think it works like that when there’s the history and the accomplishments and the resumes and the relationship that there has been between he and Robert Kraft. And so this situation is treated entirely differently.”
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft (left) and coach Bill Belichick (right).
Clutchpoints
And why shouldn't Belichick be treated differently? After all, he was the architect of the nearly two-decade-long dynasty that netted the Patriots six Lombardi Trophies and has Belichick just 17 wins away from surpassing Don Shula on the all-time wins list.
Many will point out that other coaches have been fired for less or producing the same results as the Patriots have had since Tom Brady left four years ago. Belichick isn't just "another" coach. Rather, Belichick is arguably the greatest coach of all time and shouldn't be cast aside so easily as other coaches have.
However, even with the 19 years of dominance that preceded the last three seasons, it is hard to ignore how far the Patriots have fallen. Since Brady left, the Patriots have made the playoffs just once and have a record of 26-31 in that same time span.
Now, instead of talking about contending for Super Bowls or even just winning the AFC East, fans are left pondering who their team could select in the next NFL Draft just six games into the season.
