The conversation around New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and his job security has been an uneasy one as of late. With the Pats starting the season 1-5 and not looking good at all while doing so, many around the league started to not so quietly discuss what Belichick’s future in New England may look like.
While those conversations have been ongoing for the last few weeks, it seems as if the demise of Belichick and his time in New England has been greatly exaggerated. At least that’s what NFL Network’s NFL Insider Ian Rapoport is alluding to with his latest report surrounding the legendary head coach.
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Bill Belichick Signed a New Contract This Offseason
It is well known at this point that everything that Belichick does has a hint of secrecy to it. The quiet, keep-to-himself demeanor is much more than just how he handles the media; it’s a way of life for the Patriots head coach.
Such could not be more evident than the fact he was able to sign a lucrative new contract in the offseason, and no one heard a word about it until today.
From @NFLGameDay: This past offseason, #Patriots coach Bill Belichick quietly agreed to a lucrative multi-year new contract, sources say. That, at least, adds some context to the discussions about the greatest coach in NFL history. pic.twitter.com/ZPjRxzMVzJ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 22, 2023
“Sources say Bill Belichick during the offseason quietly agreed to terms on a lucrative, multi-year new contract.” Now contractually, he is locked up long term.”
This is a classic Belichick move. Doesn’t say a word about the deal and goes about his business. Just when you think you can count him out and the noise seems to be getting too loud, he sprinkles in a little “Oh, by the way, I’m not going anywhere” into the national media spotlight.
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Things can change rather quickly in the NFL, such is the case with this new inked deal, but with this now in place, it is fair to assume the roar around Bill and his job security is going to settle down a bit.
Despite that feeling, Tom E. Curran, a Patriots insider from NBC Sports Boston believes Bill may not be safe regardless of the new deal – if the results are not there.
Today’s report on Bill Belichick’s extension gives players and coaches a sense Bill will be around a while thanks to “multi-year.”
But my sense is the extension – which likely runs through 2024 – won’t preclude team from making the hard decision on Bill if results aren’t there. https://t.co/ewrZ4nztI1
— Tom E. Curran (@tomecurran) October 22, 2023
Belichick’s Pursuit of Greatness
Belichick entered the 2023 season third on the all-time NFL coaching wins list with 299 regular-season wins in his career. With only Don Shula (328) and George Halas (318) ahead of him, the belief is that Belichick is locked in on taking down the record as he hopes to sit at the top someday soon.
Belichick, who has a reputation for being tight-lipped with the media, has not openly discussed Shula’s record all that often. However, ahead of the season at LSU’s Pro Day, he shined a small light on his thoughts surrounding the record.
“I have a great respect for the game and all that, [but] I’m not really focused on that right now,” said Belichick, per the Boston Globe’s Jim McBride. “The 2023 season is all I’m concerned about.”
Thus far, 2023 hasn’t been a tremendous help as the Patriots enter Week 7 with one win and a matchup with a highly favored Buffalo Bills team.
Belichick has his work cut out for him with this current roster assembled, but with the newly signed contract locked in, he looks to have bought himself more time to get the job done.
