It’s no secret that Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots have not quite lived up to the lofty expectations in recent years. And it sounds like team owner Robert Kraft would at least consider moving on from Belichick if that doesn’t change this upcoming season.
During the press conference, Kraft was asked a pretty blunt question: “You guys have posted a losing record two of the last three seasons . . . if that happens again, could Bill [Belichick’s] job be in jeopardy, or is he here to break Don Shula’s all-time wins record and beyond?”
However, Kraft did not exactly give a clear answer – but seemed to indicate that he would consider moving on from Belichick.
“Look, I’d like him to break Don Shula’s record, but I’m not looking for any of our players to get great stats,” Kraft said according to Pro Football Talk. “We’re about winning, and doing whatever we can to win. And that’s what our focus is now. And I — it’s very important to me that we make the playoffs, and that’s what I hope happens next year.”
It’s certainly not a firm commitment to Belichick no matter what happens, and the NFL had plenty to say about the comments on Twitter.
Pretty sure Belichick will go out when he wants, and he picked his successor himself. Why else did Mayo quit taking interviews elsewhere while also then sitting in on OC interviews? Mayo is the next Patriots HC when Belichick is ready to go.
— Scott Pooley (@PoolsMcPools) March 28, 2023
I think he retires at the end of the year regardless of what happens during the season
— Tyler (@sasksportsguy52) March 28, 2023
https://t.co/6pPkW6IDjQ pic.twitter.com/nnh0ybRVtL
— Patrick (@TheRealNAOP) March 28, 2023
— Patriots Media Pitchbot NFL (@NEMediaPitchbot) March 28, 2023
If this is the case Belichick is as good as gone. As currently constituted, the #Patriots are the clear fourth place team in the AFC East. If/when the Rodgers trade gets done, New England could easily go 0-6 in the division https://t.co/3LsCX3e9g7
— Billy (@BillyW_91) March 28, 2023
Lol there’s zero chance Belichick leaves before he’s ready.
Im sure he’s got crazy dirt on Kraft. https://t.co/vHJC4TKfbW— JosABanks (@thejoshbanks) March 28, 2023
It will certainly be interesting to see what happens if the Patriots do miss the playoffs again this year.
