New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has been one of the staples of the NFL for decades, but according to a report, his job with New England may not be as safe as some would suspect.
The 71-year-old is reportedly “on the hot seat” and has been (at least to some degree) since 2019.
🗣️ @tomecurran
“He’s been there with different levels I’d warmth since 2019.”
The @NBCSBoston #Patriots insider told us if this could really be Bill Belichick’s final year in New England:#NFL pic.twitter.com/VxoT5PPGJM
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) July 17, 2023
“He’s on the hot seat, and he’s been there at different levels of warmth since 2019,” said Patriots insider Tom Curran.
The 2019 season was quarterback Tom Brady’s last with New England. Since then, the team hasn’t won a playoff game, a far cry from the type of success fans grew accustomed to during the Belichick-Brady era.
In Brady’s first season away from New England, the Patriots went 7-9 and missed the playoffs. The following season, the team did make the playoffs after putting together a 10-7 record but was embarrassed by the Buffalo Bills in the first round. Last season, the Patriots finished just below .500 at 8-9 and didn’t earn a playoff bid.
Overall, the Patriots have gone 25-25 in the regular season since Brady’s departure. During the legendary quarterback’s stint with the organization, New England won six Super Bowls.
The upcoming season will be the third year of the Mac Jones era for the Patriots. The 24-year-old has been a mixed bag so far at the NFL level but certainly has shown flashes of potential since being drafted in 2021.
Overall, Jones has completed 66.5 percent of his throws in the NFL while tallying 36 passing touchdowns and 24 interceptions.
If Belichick’s job is truly in jeopardy heading into the 2023 season, he’s going to need players like Jones to step up and help the team establish itself as a factor in the playoff picture. The AFC East figures to be extremely competitive this coming season, but that’s not going to pass as an excuse for the Patriots if they fail to meet expectations.
New England’s 2023 campaign will begin in September with a matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. As the season gets closer, perhaps more buzz will surface about Belichick’s future with the organization. It seems like it could be a pivotal year for the franchise and its longtime head coach.
