Amidst the swirling trade speculations as the deadline loomed on the eerie evening of Halloween, the New England Patriots chose to stay put, as Bill Belichick didn’t budge at the ticking clock that struck 4 pm ET. The rumor mill was abuzz with whispers of potential trades, notably surrounding edge rusher Josh Uche. Yet the supposed offer of a fourth-rounder wasn’t tempting enough to entice a deal. The speculation didn’t end there – Ezekiel Elliott, the Patriots second-leading rusher, also found himself in the chatter.
With a 2-6 record casting a long shadow over the team, few anticipated any deadline splurges from the Patriots. Particularly not for talents poised to become free agents after the season. Yet, as the deadline day unfolded, a ripple of surprise coursed through the fanbase when Jeff Howe of The Athletic reported that the Patriots had called and “checked in on the price for Commanders DE Chase Young.” While it’s not shocking the trade never came to fruition, the mere thought was enough to get the fans curious. Young ended up getting traded to the San Fransisco 49ers before the deadline instead. Wednesday morning, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio hinted at the Commanders trying to make a different trade with the Patriots following the season. A trade not for a player, but a coach.
Commanders Want Bill Belichick to Turn Around Their Franchise
The unsettling tone surrounding the Patriots this season has been hard to ignore. Sporting a 2-6 record, it’s clear that there are several facets of the team that require a thorough re-evaluation to harbor any hope of competing for a Super Bowl in the near future. Although head coach Bill Belichick has been able to get the Patriots to nine Super Bowls, winning six of them; owner Robert Kraft has expressed his desire to get another. He was quoted just this offseason saying he won’t be satisfied until he gets “number seven.” With the Patriots poor start to the season, speculation about a fresh start without Belichick began to stir.
All that seemed to get put to bed when reports leaked that Belichick signed a “new lucrative contract.” Yet, as details of this contract unfolded, it emerged that his tenure might not be as secure as previously thought. Tom E Curran of NBC Sports Boston speculated that the contract only extends through 2024. If true, this sets the stage for crucial contract discussions, again, in the upcoming offseason to avoid Belichick coaching through a “lame-duck” year.
Adding fuel to the fire, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, brought to light the possibility of the Washington Commanders attempting a trade for Bill Belichick. Florio shared, “What I heard over the weekend from someone I know and someone I trust that made me say, ‘Whoa, that’s interesting’ is the possibility that the end result for the Commanders is a trade with the [Patriots] for Bill Belichick.” This statement rippled through the New England fanbase, a community already grappling with mixed emotions towards their head coach. With the situation in New England seemingly regressing each year post-Tom Brady’s departure, the thought of both parties embracing a reset isn’t entirely far-fetched.
Amidst the whirlpool of speculations, Albert Breer of NBC Sports Boston threw in an intriguing curveball regarding Belichick’s potential role. He noted, “Maybe it’s not even as a coach, maybe it’s as an executive. I think it’s possible either way.” This sheds a new light on the ongoing conversation. Most have largely presumed that Belichick has set his sights on surpassing Don Shula on the all-time wins list. Something he couldn’t do from an executive perch. Breer also discussed the possibility of a well-orchestrated transition, hinting at a scenario where Belichick could be meticulously grooming his successors while inching closer to the coveted record, only to seamlessly transition into an executive role after. This would ensure the organization remains on solid ground after he leaves the coaching role.
Is Bill Belichick being traded to the Washington Commanders a crazy idea?@AlbertBreer doesn't think so ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/vHAr15ZoEN
— NBC Sports Boston's Patriots Coverage (@NBCSPatriots) November 2, 2023
Getting Back Their Initial Investment, And More
The tale of how the Patriots snagged the now-legendary coach Bill Belichick from the clutches of the New York Jets before he could even coach a game for them is nothing short of a football lore. And this was before his name became synonymous with coaching genius. The trade ended up having the Patriots parting ways with a first-, fourth-, and seventh-round pick. They received a fifth and seventh-rounder in return, along with Bill Belichick, the centerpiece of this exchange.
Fast forward to today, the possibility of reclaiming what was initially traded away or even getting more is a very complex scenario. At the heart of it all is Belichick’s desire to continue his coaching journey. At 71, the continuation of his storied career is not a given. Also, his assessment of the team’s outlook for the future is a crucial factor. Especially considering it could take a decent amount of those future assets to get him away from New England. The Washington Commanders, boasting a commendable amount of draft capital, seem to fit the bill here.
However, without a firm assurance of Belichick’s enthusiasm to continue coaching, a trade that recoups the original investment from January of 2000 would be extremely challenging. Yet, if he were to express that desire to continue, why wouldn’t his trade value soar even higher now? A pertinent precedent is the Denver Broncos’ trade with the New Orleans Saints for head coach Sean Payton in 2023. The Broncos traded away a first and second-round pick while receiving Payton and a third-round pick from the Saints. While Sean Payton is certainly a legend in his own right, his coaching resume doesn’t quite mirror Bill Belichick’s. Thus, it wouldn’t be far-fetched if Kraft pitches a higher asking price. Using the Payton trade as a mere starting point in negotiations.
Robert Kraft’s Undying Loyalty
Robert Kraft has always shown an unwavering support for his head coach. Even when the Tom Brady saga reached its zenith, Kraft chose to stand firmly by Belichick, letting the iconic quarterback venture into free agency. A clear sign of trust between the owner and head coach, this decision marked a defining moment in Patriots history. With the team’s struggles and lack of production (or even appearances) in the playoffs, speculation has started on whether that trust has shaken. We shall see as we finish out this season and move into the offseason. It’s hard to imagine a world where Bill Belichick is coaching any team but the New England Patriots. But the league’s newest owner is looking to gain credibility, and Belichick is a great way to get that. If he can manage to pull together a good enough offer, Kraft would at least have to listen.
Main Photo: Sam Navarro – USA Today Sports
