If Bill Belichick’s time on the New England Patriots is coming to an finish, it couldn’t have been a extra abject ending for arguably the best NFL coach’s 24-year stick with essentially the most dominant franchise of contemporary instances.
Belichick trudged off the sector at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, solely his eyes seen when wrapped up towards the blizzard situations, after a dreadful 17-3 residence loss towards the New York Jets – the most recent lacklustre defeat in a season stuffed with them.
With 13 defeats, it’s Belichick’s worst marketing campaign of his 29-year profession as a head coach, and why proprietor Robert Kraft might half methods with the six-time Super Bowl winner who engineered the longest successful dynasty the game has seen.
It has been extensively reported in the US media that he’s set to leave the Patriots, though Belichick stated on Monday it’s “approach too early” to decide about his future.
“Collectively, we determine as an organisation what’s the neatest thing to assist our soccer group,” he stated. “Things should be fastened.”
Whatever is subsequent, Belichick will all the time be considered probably the greatest to face on the sidelines. In a sport constructed for parity, he managed to dominate like no one now we have seen earlier than or will probably see once more.
No Hollywood ending for NFL’s lord of the rings
It was actually not how he’ll need – or deserves – to exit, nevertheless it summed up the abject distress of what may very well be Belichick’s closing marketing campaign in New England.
In dreadful climate the Patriots misplaced to the Jets, a group that they had overwhelmed 15 instances on the spin, with the actual fact Belichick has received twice as many Super Bowls as his group might handle factors summing up how far they’ve fallen.
The Jets are the group Belichick was head coach of for under in the future, as he controversially used what was meant to be his introductory information convention as a resignation information convention shortly earlier than becoming a member of the Patriots in 2000.
Jets followers have since needed to watch on in horror as Belichick broke new floor and loads of information alongside quarterback Tom Brady, the pair combining to win three Super Bowls of their first 4 seasons collectively and happening to win six of their 9 appearances within the huge sport throughout 18 years.
Throw in two victories as defensive coordinator of the New York Giants and Belichick has eight Super Bowl rings – one other NFL document to go together with most wins as head coach (six) and most appearances (12).
Belichick is the pinnacle coach with essentially the most play-off appearances (19), video games (44) and wins (31) and, with 333 victories total, is second on the all-time listing behind solely legendary Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula with 347.
Brady exit the start of the tip
There was all the time the argument of whether or not Brady or Belichick was the true driving drive behind the Patriots’ unimaginable successful run. In fact, is was a case of an ideal match.
Fierce opponents, each valued wins over ego-based statistics and each believed within the no-nonsense hard-working ‘Patriot Way’ that Belichick fostered in New England – with “do your job” his favorite quote.
At least three of their six Super Bowls owed extra to a Belichick defensive masterclass than Brady’s arm, particularly their sixth, a 12-3 win over the Los Angeles Rams, whereas Brady led the best comeback within the sport’s historical past towards the Atlanta Falcons in one other.
Then, in 2020, Brady left to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and promptly received a seventh Super Bowl, whereas the Pats have slumped in his absence, with just one successful season in 4 and an total 29-39 document, together with one play-off loss.
Form on the sector has collapsed and Belichick, in his different position as a de facto normal supervisor, has not had a lot success drafting gamers ok to maintain his group on the high – particularly at quarterback.
So with Belichick accountable for participant recruitment and training, the buck actually does cease with him. In a enterprise as brutal as this, it appears to be like like even a six-time Super Bowl winner has a shelf life.
What subsequent for Belichick?
Belichick will flip 72 in April and has been teaching within the league since 1975, however there isn’t a sense that he’ll retire, with Shula’s document nicely inside his sights.
The Patriots might look to commerce him in return for a draft decide from a possible suitor, and there needs to be loads of takers for a training legend who, for as unhealthy as New England had been this season, nonetheless had a greater than first rate defence.
There are a few huge query marks, although, akin to whether or not his old-school, my-way-or-the-high-way teaching fashion can nonetheless work within the trendy sport, particularly at a brand new group.
Belichick would additionally probably need full management as normal supervisor once more after so lengthy working that approach in New England – all of a sudden giving him a boss to reply to wouldn’t go down nicely – and whether or not a group would threat that after his latest draft shows may very well be a sticking level.
The Los Angeles Chargers and Arizona Cardinals have been talked about however, as a household man, whether or not he can be prepared to maneuver throughout the nation is up for debate. The Washington Commanders beneath new possession may very well be a definite chance.
One factor is for sure, although: wherever Belichick finally ends up teaching subsequent season and past, he has already cemented his legacy as one of many greats – and one who deserved to journey off into the sundown relatively than slope off in a snowstorm.
