Bye, Belichick: Final Year 'Not Out of Question' if Patriots Miss Playoffs?
Merriam-Webster's definition for 'dynasty' is: "a powerful group or family that maintains its position for a considerable time." And there might not a better example than the New England Patriots in the AFC East since the turn of the century.
Capturing 17 division titles over that span - including 11 straight from 2009-19 - head coach Bill Belichick entered each year knowing his team was destined for the postseason.
But since quarterback Tom Brady's departure for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers prior to the 2020 season, New England has failed to reach that level of dominance - making the playoffs just once in the past three years.
NFL Insider Dan Graziano said Wednesday morning on ESPN's Get Up! that if the Patriots fail to contend this season, it could be the beginning of the end for Belichick.
“I think there’s a little bit of discontent there in terms of not continuing the winning after Tom Brady left,” Graziano said. “If they were to miss the playoffs again, there were already some rumblings around that situation last January believe it or not, and I think those would intensify a little bit. At some point in the future, Bill Belichick will not be the coach of the Patriots, so what does that look like and when does that happen? I think those conversations probably have a chance to get started if they miss the playoffs again or if they do finish fourth in the division.”
Despite not bringing the offensive firepower from Brady's tenure, New England could possess not only the AFC East's best defense, but one of the strongest in the entire NFL.
However, with four-time MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers joining the New York Jets to contend with Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills, the Patriots will have their hands full.
“Their defense could end up being the best one in the division,” Graziano said. “It looks fantastic on paper, but it is a tough division. If they go 9-8 and barely miss the playoffs, that’s a little different than if they were to bottom out and go 6-11, but I don’t think it’s out of the question that we’ll be having this conversation in January if they do finish last.”
New England and Belichick look to be crowned AFC East champions for the first time since 2019.
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