BREAKING: Belichick, Kraft Schedule Meeting About Patriots' Future
FOXBORO — Less than 24 hours after Sunday's "Foxboro Farewell" at Gillette Stadium, Bill Belichick may have his New England Patriots' fate decided in a summit with owner Robert Kraft.
According to ESPN, Belichick will meet Monday morning with Kraft and his son - team president Jonathan - at One Patriot Place. Reporter Mike Reiss says though a "final decision hasn't been made," Belichick will have to convince the pair that the reasons for this disastrous season are quickly repairable.
Reports Reiss, "The Krafts are going to be looking for some answers as to why things have fallen off so dramatically this season."
In Belichick's 24th year, the Patriots are enduring their worst season since 1992. They are 4-12 entering Sunday's season finale against the New York Jets. They have the worst offense in the NFL and on Wednesday were shut out in Pro Bowl voting for the first time since 2000.
"Robert Kraft has been very disappointed with the way this season has unfolded, naturally, and people that are close to him relayed to me that that disappointment has been so extreme to the point that he has strongly considered moving on from Belichick," Reiss added. "These people also tell me that no decision has been made at this point, and that's why this final meeting will be so important."
To say that it has recently been less-than the best of times in New England may be a gross understatement. Belichick’s future with the franchise has been the subject of much scrutiny. The Pats find themselves failing to qualify for the postseason for the third time in the last four years. Prior to their Week 17 loss to the Buffalo Bills, the Pats had not lost 12 games in a single season since 1992 — two years before Kraft bought the team. New England is set to finish last in the AFC East for the first time since 2000 — Belichick’s first season as Patriots coach.
New England Patriots Robert Kraft, Bill Belichick
Cred: Boston Globe
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.
Still, the decision to simply cut ties with the principal architect of the arguably the greatest sports dynasty in decades is not as simple as some may have you believe. For nearly a quarter-century, New England’s head coach has been one of the most successful at his position in this, or any sport. After all, few, if any, have ever enjoyed the level of success Belichick has while at the Patriots helm. Six Super Bowl championships, three-time AP Coach of the Year awards, and nine conference titles are just some of the accolades which Belichick has collected during his time on the sidelines.
In short, the ‘HC of the NEP’ has made his eventual enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame all but a mere formality.
Still, enough bloom has been shaken from the Patriots rose to warrant a meeting between owner and coach/de-facto general manager to determine whether the relationship between the organization and its greatest coach is salvageable. Belichick’s recent history of high-value draft selections has been a source of proverbial indigestion among the fan base — especially having seen the likes of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, San Francisco 49ers receiver Deebo Samuel and Philadelphia Eagles wideout A.J. Brown thrive, while selections such as quarterback Mac Jones and receiver Tyquan Thornton have struggled as selections by the Belichickian regime at New England’s helm — especially when those mentioned in the former were there for the taking.
The latest mark against Belichick comes via a Thursday morning report from the Boston Herald [citing team sources, speaking under the assumption of anonymity] which alleges in-fighting among the coaching staff, along with disagreements on personnel. While the report stops short of laying the blame for such issues directly at Belichick’s feet, it does not paint the kindest of pictures of life within New England’s coaching staff and its front office.
Though New England has seemingly reached its darkest hour, Belichick will report to this meeting armed with some potent resume ammunition. In spite of losing potential All-Pro talent such as linebacker Matthew Judon and cornerback Christian Gonzalez to season-ending injury, the Pats defense has played at a surprisingly high level. New England will enter Week 18 ranked at No. 6 in overall defense in the NFL, allowing a defensive yards average of 304.6, as well as 19.2 yards-per-game. Best known for his defensive prowess, Belichick’s defensive thumbprint is quite visible in the team’s 2023 success on the preventive side of the ball.
In the final analysis, the meeting between Kraft and Belichick will be one of the most significant in the history of the franchise. Kraft, who has been quite vocal regarding his displeasure with the Pats recent showings in the standings, will rightfully demand accountability for the Patriots fall over the past five seasons.
Conversely, Belichick’s resume and continued demonstration of sound coaching abilities will prevent him from entering the encounter with the sheepish contrition of Oliver Twist asking an authoritarian superior “Please sir, may I have some more.?”
The curtain may be about to fall on the 2023 season for the Patriots. However, the real story in Foxboro is just about to begin.
