Belichick Retirement Unlikely Despite Potential Patriots Farewell: 'I Still Like Coaching'
The Bill Belichick chapter of the New England Patriots' history may have come to a close with a whimper, as many legends' careers sadly do.
After Sunday's loss to the New York Jets, which ended the Patriots' 15-game winning streak over their bitter rival, New England has officially completed its worst season in Belichick's 24-year tenure, finishing at 4-13. Rumors of Belichick's departure have been swirling for most of the season, and now that it's over, those rumors are looking more and more like an inevitability.
Despite the miserable season, and the fact. that Belichick is turning 72 in April, his desire to keep coaching has not wavered.
"No, I mean, I enjoy coaching," Belichick told reporters after the game. "Like I said, it's a disappointing season. I covered that in the opening statement. I don't have anything to add. That's how I feel. But no, I still – I like coaching the team. I like preparing the team, game planning, coaching on Sundays. But the results weren't good and none of us are happy with those."
Belichick has been coaching in the NFL for nearly half a century, as his first gig came as a special assistant with the then-Baltimore Colts in 1975, so it's not exactly surprising that he'd want to keep going as long as he can.
On top of that, Belichick is still chasing Don Shula's all-time win record, which has frequently been mentioned as a motivation for him to keep coaching. The longtime Patriots coach is now at 302 regular-season wins, trailing only Shula (328) and George Halas (318).
He'll need at least two more seasons to break the record, and likely more given the current state of the Patriots and his questionable future with the club.
Whether it's in New England or elsewhere, though, it's clear that Belichick isn't ready to walk away just yet.
