Earlier this week it was revealed that the New England Patriots have plans in place to part ways with Bill Belichick after the season ends. The decision was reportedly made following the team’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Germany in Week 10.
Naturally, it wasn’t something Belichick was going to discuss during his pressers this week. When asked about it, he responded by saying he is focused on the Kansas City Chiefs, the Patriots’ opponent in Week 15.
If the Patriots do move on from Belichick, one NFL analyst believes they have an intriguing job opening. Bill Barnwell of ESPN recently put together a list of the top 10 head coach openings that could open up in 2024. On his list, the Patriots came in at No. 5.
NFL News & Rumors: Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft, New England Patriots Updates
One of the cons of the job would be replacing Belichick, who many regard as the greatest head coach in NFL history. However, given how he would be leaving the job, there may not be as much pressure on his replacement in Barnwell’s opinion.
“Things might be different with the Patriots because the guy isn’t leaving on a high note. Had Bill Belichick left with Tom Brady after a 12-4 season in 2019, the task of replacing one of the most legendary coaches in football history would have seemed incalculable. After three losing seasons in the ensuing four years, though, the thought of parting ways with Belichick isn’t as unthinkable to Patriots fans as it might have seemed. Frankly, after two decades of winning double-digit games as a reflex, there’s a significant number of New England fans who seem ready for fresh blood,” Barnwell wrote.
Should Belichick be replaced, one positive is that the replacement will be inheriting a solid defense. Even without star pass rusher Matt Judon and rookie cornerback Christian Gonzalez, this was a unit that has been productive for the most part.
Replacing the magic Belichick creates defensively wouldn’t be easy, but at least there are building blocks on that side of the ball. Offensively, there isn’t much to get excited about. That could lead to a clean slate for whoever is hired, as the state of the offense is both a pro and con.
NFL News & Rumors: Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft, New England Patriots Updates
“I already wrote at length earlier this year about how the Patriots ended up in this situation, so I won’t rehash those concerns. I’ll note that they have a 75% chance of ending up with one of the top two picks in next year’s draft, which would make this job much more desirable. It’s difficult to imagine a coach taking over with the intention of guaranteeing Mac Jones‘ fifth-year option for 2025, which would leave the quarterback as a lame-duck starter or a possible trade candidate,” said Barnwell.
A potential top-two pick would make the Patriots a very appealing situation for a head coach. They would, presumably, get a top prospect to work with in either Caleb Williams or Drake Maye. In the long run, that could give them a brighter outlook than some of their AFC East counterparts.
The New York Jets are built around 40-year-old Aaron Rodgers. The Buffalo Bills look to have peaked two years ago and could be in for some changes of their own. The Miami Dolphins are staring down a hefty extension for Tua Tagovailoa soon and Tyreek Hill is turning 30 with an eye already toward retirement.
There are certainly some flaws with the Patriots, but the pros outweigh the cons. With a solid ownership group in place led by Robert Kraft, a potential franchise quarterback on the way with a bunch of draft capital, and a division that could become open sooner than later, New England should appeal to multiple candidates.
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