Bill Belichick has become synonymous with the New England Patriots as any NFL head coach has ever been with a particular organization. The stoic head coach is infamous for his unflapping sideline demeanor and is one of the primary bedrocks of which the Patriots dynasty was built. New England won six Super Bowls in large part to Belichick.
Tom Brady is not walking through that door, and “The Patriot Way” mantra has lost a bit of luster in recent years as the team erodes from a perennial title contender to one of the worst rosters in the league. The Patriots find themselves in the AFC East cellar, and there doesn’t appear to be much hope in the immediate future.
With the Patriots organization and owner Robert Kraft facing some questions this offseason, one of the more pressing debates is whether long-tenured head coach Belichick will be back on the sidelines for New England in 2024 and beyond. The thought of Belichick leaving the Patriots was once inconceivable and has become a distinct possibility.
When Is Bill Belichick’s Contract Up?
As with many things surrounding the Patriots head coach, the devil is in the details, of which they remain murky. Here’s what we know. During the offseason, the Patriots and their long-standing head coach quietly signed a multi-year contract.
The verbiage here is critical in understanding the potential outcomes in New England. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer quickly pointed out that the term “extension” was not mentioned in the reporting. Why not? Because it was not a contract extension. This deal was a new contract for Belichick and the organization, spanning multiple seasons.
At first glance, many will take this to mean it is a certainty that Belichick is back in New England for the 2024 season. Someone page Lee Corso — “Not So Fast My Friend.”
There are parallels between how the organization handles Belichick and how they dealt with the GOAT, Tom Brady. If you recall, the Patriots signed Brady to a two-year contract in 2019, only to usher the future Hall of Famer out the door after the first season. Although Belichick may have signed a multi-year deal, that doesn’t mean he will be the Patriots’ head coach for multiple seasons.
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While it appears the Patriots are taking a year-to-year approach with their future Hall of Fame head coach, Belichick knows that he signed a multi-year contract, and he doesn’t seem to be the type of person who will go quietly into that good night. Expect Belichick to college on his contract and the buyout coming if the Patriots organization fires him.
Who Would be Robert Kraft’s Ideal Replacement?
Some have speculated that Jerod Mayo is an in-house incumbent for Belichick if the team decides to move on from their long-term head coach. Other reports suggest that Kraft has a different choice than someone with ties to the Patriots organization.
Tennessee head coach Mike Vrabel appears to be the apple of Kraft’s eye, and with the Titans fading, potentially a split would be the best thing for Vrabel and the organization. A fresh start for Vrabel in New England would bring his career full circle, starring as a Patriot linebacker during their dynasty.
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