Has Bill Belichick coached his final game for the New England Patriots?
The Patriots fell to the New York Jets by a score of 17-3 in their season finale on Sunday afternoon, ending their 15-game winning streak over their AFC East division rivals.
It also may have been the end of an era.
There have been reports that Pats owner Robert Kraft may be looking to move on from Belichick this offseason following New England’s disappointing 4-13 campaign, but Belichick does not want to speak about his status just yet.
“I’m under contract. I’m going to do what I always do,” said Belichick, via Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. “As far as any decisions or direction for next year, way too early for that.”
Belichick has a year remaining on his current deal, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he will be in Foxborough next season. Rumors are swirling that the Patriots could trade Belichick, much like they acquired him via trade with the Jets back in 2000.
However, Belichick is adamant that he does not know what the future holds.
“It might be a series of meetings. I don’t know,” he said. “We’ll handle that internally.”
Belichick just completed his worst season as a head coach, and that includes his five-year stint with the Cleveland Browns from 1991 through 1995.
He has spent 24 seasons in New England, winning six Super Bowl championships while making nine Super Bowl appearances in total. He has also guided the Pats to 17 division titles.
Could Belichick remain head coach but relinquish his duties as general manager?
“I’m for whatever we collectively decide as an organization is the best thing to help our football team,” Belichick said. “I’m here to work to help our team every day. That’s what I’m going to do.”
Whatever the case may be for Bill Belichick, it should certainly be an interesting off season for one of the NFL’s banner franchises.
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