Six titles and 24 seasons later, Bill Belichick is departing the Patriots.
After an incredible 24 seasons as the coach of the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick announced on Thursday that “we’re going to move on” and expressed gratitude for his unrivaled record in NFL history, which included six Super Bowl championships.
Belichick and Robert Kraft, the owner of the Patriots, met for the better part of this week to discuss the respective plans for each side. There was reportedly no argument or confrontation, according to people with knowledge of those discussions, and in the end, fruitful negotiations produced a decision that satisfied both parties.
Kraft referred to Belichick as the best coach of all time and said he should be elected to the Hall of Fame on the first ballot during a press conference on Thursday.
“This is a move that we mutually agreed that is needed at this time,” Kraft stated. “What Bill accomplished, in my opinion, will never be duplicated.”
After declaring that he will “always be a Patriot,” Belichick expressed his gratitude to Kraft and his family for the chance and support, saying, “We had a vision of building a championship football team that has exceeded my wildest dreams and expectations.” I’m quite pleased with that. I shall cherish such wonderful recollections for the rest of my life.”
With one year left on his deal, Belichick is free to leave the team without the Patriots pursuing payment. According to league insiders, he wants to continue coaching and is anticipated to pique the interest of at least a few of the other seven NFL teams who have open head coaching positions, most notably the Atlanta Falcons.
“It’ll be difficult to see him in a cutoff hoodie on the sideline, but I’ll always wish him continued success, except when it’s against the beloved Patriots,” Kraft said.
The Patriots are about to start their first head-coaching search in 25 years. According to insiders, Jerod Mayo, the linebackers coach for the Patriots, who the organization extended in the offseason and who Kraft has recognized as a potential head coach, is expected to be one of, if not the top candidate, for the position. Mayo was a 2008–2015 Patriots player and has been Belichick’s assistant since 2019.
The Patriots could appoint Mayo at any time without following the normal NFL hiring procedure if they decide that he is the best candidate in the end and they have a succession plan in place from the deal he signed this offseason.
In a second press conference on Thursday, Kraft explained why he decided against trying to move Belichick, stating that he “didn’t think it was right” to treat the coach’s exit as a transaction and drawing parallels between the situation and Tom Brady’s trade to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“We’re looking for someone who can help us get back to the playoffs and win,” Kraft stated.
In an Instagram post following Belichick’s resignation, Brady referred to him as “the best coach in the history of the NFL.”
“We accomplished some amazing things over a long period of time, many of which will be hard to replicate,” Brady stated. “In the ultimate team sport, he dedicated his daily efforts to assisting us in reaching the ultimate objective. I could never have been the player I was without you Coach Belichick. I am forever grateful. And I wish you the best of luck in whatever you choose next.”
