Bill Belichick Deflects Questions on New England Patriots Future: 'Ask Mr. Kraft'
FOXBORO — As rumors continue to swirl around his future as head coach of the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick has yet to stray from his familiar formula.
Despite a 27-17 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday at Gillette Stadium — dropping them to 3-11 on the season — the ‘HC of the NEP’ remains focused on his team’s immediate future.
“Nothing’s changed,” Belichick said Monday on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show.” “We’ve got Denver this week, and we’ll do all we can to get the team ready to play well against Denver.”
As for whether his seat might be reaching a scorching temperature under the scrutinous eye of team owner Robert Kraft, the 71-year-old feels those questions best be answered by the man in charge, himself.
“I think any questions you have for Mr. Kraft, you should ask Mr. Kraft,” Belichick replied
With the Patriots having been officially eliminated from playoff contention — their third such fate in the last four seasons — Belichick’s future with the franchise has understandably been the subject of much scrutiny. The Pats currently occupy the last place slot in both the AFC East and the conference, overall.
Unsurprisingly, the blame for such inefficiencies has fallen more on the shoulders of Belichick than anyone else in the organization — with fans and media alike ferociously clamoring for the eight-time Super Bowl champion's outright firing. In fact, the speculation reached its crescendo last week when NBC Sports Boston reported that Kraft had already decided Belichick’s fate in the wake of their 10-6 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Frankfurt, Germany — a game which the Pats CEO wanted to win “badly.”
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, head coach Bill Belichick
Clutchpoints
However, that report was seemingly refuted by a Saturday night offering from NFL Network, indicating that Belichick’s job might be secured with a series of strong performances to close the season — starting with a Week 15 win over the defending Super Bowl champions.
Despite failing to deliver on his and the Pats reported ultimatum, Belichick appears to be unfazed by the multitude of narratives beginning to form around him. Sticking to the principles he has instilled in his teams for over 24 years at the helm in New England, the legendary Pats coach is ignoring the noise, while narrowing his sights to this weekend’s matchup at Mile High.
“I don’t sit around and listen to talk radio and read stuff every day,” Belichick said on WEEI when asked about these rumors. “I’m going to do what I do, and that’s prepare the team to get ready for Denver.”
While fans and media alike will hungrily hang on each word uttered by both Belichick and Kraft — incessantly searching for the mere appearance of impropriety between one of the most successful owner-coach pairings in pro sports history — Belichick will not allow neither sentimentality, nor fear of the future to derail his immediate goal.
Though he would not shy away from discussing the matter with his players (should the need arise,) the masses comprising Patriots Nation will have to wait a bit longer for their answers.
”I’m not getting into the past, the future or anything else,” he said. “I’m getting ready for Denver this week.
Accordingly, we are all on to Denver, as well.
