The fate of Bill Belichick is one of the most fascinating storylines in the league, as the eight-time Super Bowl champion has been the recent subject of trade talks. It’s hard to imagine New England without their legendary head coach, but time comes for us all, and it’s no secret that the Patriots have not played up to their usual level since Tom Brady left. Entering the season, the Patriots had a losing season in three of their past four seasons, and owner Robert Kraft said that making the playoffs was incredibly important in 2023.
That didn’t happen. The 2023 version of the New England Patriots is the worst one in recent memory, as the team is currently 3-10 and already eliminated from the postseason. Mac Jones has regressed since a promising rookie year, the Patriots haven’t drafted particularly well, and some believe that Kraft will trade or fire Bill Belichick at the end of the year.
Well, it’s time to add NBC Sports Boston’s Tom Curran to the mix. Speaking on Arbella’s Early Edition, the longtime Patriots beat reporter said that sources “made clear to [him]” that Bill Belichick will not be back next year, and that Kraft made that decision following the 10-6 loss in Germany. Curran also adds that this decision is set in stone, and no late-season winning steak could change Kraft’s mind.
Curran: Bill Belichick Will Not Be Back, Possible Trade Destinations
The Report
Tom Curran is one of the more experienced and reliable reporters on the Patriots beat, but like all human beings, he has been wrong before. You should never take any report at 100% truth without analyzing whether or not the take makes sense, and Curran’s report matches up with what we’ve seen out of Kraft recently.
While Curran’s comments about Belichick’s departure were the highlight of the segment, it’s far from the only interesting part of the video. The reporter begins by discussing Kraft’s awkward appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, and how Kraft has consistently turned down the opportunity to stand behind Belichick throughout the offseason, stating that the goal is to win, but never saying that Belichick had to be a part of it.
Curran also addresses Belichick’s reported contract status. Previously, reports indicated that Kraft wouldn’t fire or trade Bill Belichick because he had just signed the coach to a long-term extension. Curran believes that this deal was only for one year, so Kraft could fire him without eating too much money, or trade him for a good return.
Possible Bill Belichick Trade Destinations
Curran talks at length about why Belichick will not be with the Patriots, but he doesn’t discuss the coach’s long-term future. ESPN’s Adam Schefter, however, predicted that 7-10 coaches will be fired at the end of the season, and it’s safe to assume that at least one of them will be interested in a Bill Belichick trade. Even if he’s not the coach he once was, somebody’s going to bet that a change of scenery can bring out the best in one of the best to ever do it.
New Orleans Saints
Dennis Allen is not long for the coaching world, as the Derek Carr fiasco will undoubtedly cost him his job. The Saints could embrace a rebuild, but New Orleans has always believed in pushing their chips in for another season. If that trend holds, then they could pursue a Bill Belichick trade. The future Hall of Famer is easily the biggest name on the market and might find some more success with an experienced veteran like Carr. Additionally, Belichick will probably like the idea of competing against a weak NFC South.
Los Angeles Chargers
This is probably the best trade destination for Bill Belichick. While one could question his ability to develop a young quarterback, his ability to build a defense remains unquestioned. New England’s defense was one of the best last year and is still good in 2023 despite losing star playmakers Matthew Judon and Christian Gonzalez early in the season. Justin Herbert is no Tom Brady, but he is good enough to singlehandedly ensure the offense will not be a liability. If Belichick focuses most of his attention on the defense, then this team could go far in 2024.
Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders have a brand new owner who will want to make a good impression on the fans. While he could target a younger offensive-minded coach for Sam Howell, it’s hard to imagine any hire getting more hype than a Bill Belichick trade. After years of Dan Snyder doing the bare minimum, Josh Harris and company could immediately prove to the fanbase that their primary focus is winning as many football games as possible.
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a complete and total mess, and owner David Tepper is a big reason for that. Carolina should hire an offensive coach to try and save Bryce Young, but most coaches might not be willing to take that job. If they have to get desperate, then they could trade for Bill Belichick. While he probably wouldn’t turn Young into a franchise quarterback, the head coach would probably love to build a defense around Brian Burns and Carolina’s projected $38.7 million in cap space.
Main Photo: Philip J. Pavely – USA Today Sports
