IT'S OVER! BREAKING: Patriots & Belichick to ‘Part Ways’ After 24 Seasons, Per Report; Press Conference Scheduled

IT'S OVER! BREAKING: New England Patriots & Bill Belichick to ‘Part Ways’ After 24 Seasons, Per Report; Press Conference Scheduled

With several major coaching dominoes having already fallen in Nashville and Seattle and even Tuscaloosa, the New England Patriots have finally made a decision on the future of their organization. 

Just a day after coaching giant Nick Saban retired from Alabama and future Hall of Famer Pete Carroll was fired by the Seahawks, the Pats have reportedly delivered the news for which the pro football universe has been awaiting with collective breath held: 

Bill Belichick and the Patriots are expected to part ways.

A press conference - attended by both Belichick and owner Robert Kraft - is scheduled for Noon at Gillette Stadium to detail the end of the coach's remarkable run in Foxboro highlighted by six Super Bowls over 24 years. 

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick celebrates a Super Bowl victory / Cred: USA Today Sports Images

Following a 4-13 finish - Belichick’s worst season in New England - the 71-year-old’s future as Patriots coach and de facto general manager had fallen under serious doubt. New England missed the playoffs for the third time in the last four seasons. Additionally, the Patriots have finished last in the AFC East for the first time since 2000 — Belichick’s first season as Patriots coach. Their final effort in 2023 ended in a listless 17-3 loss to the New York Jets under snowy skies at Gillette Stadium in Week 18.  

Still, the decision to simply cut ties with the principal architect of the arguably the greatest sports dynasty in decades was not as simple as some may have you believe. 

For nearly a quarter-century, New England’s head coach has been one of the most successful at his position in this, or any sport. After all, few, if any, have ever enjoyed the level of success Belichick has while at the Patriots helm. Six Super Bowl championships, three-time AP Coach of the Year awards, and nine conference titles are just some of the accolades which Belichick has collected during his time on the sidelines. 

Recent reports had indicated that a Belichick’s return to New England was a distinct possibility. According to a Monday evening report in The Athletic, Belichick had an "initial discussion" with Kraft about his future as Patriots head coach on Monday. Part of those talks reportedly involved the potential return of McDaniels as offensive coordinator.

Additionally, it was reported that Scott Pioli, another ex-Patriot, was ostensibly being considered for an advisory role with the team for the upcoming season. “ Per the Boston Globe, Pioli has “been communicating” with Kraft and team ownership in recent weeks and “would be open to returning to the Patriots — with or without Belichick.”

Patriots' Belichick Era Poised to End As it Began?

For the first time in nearly a quarter century, the Patriots find themselves in search of a new head coach. Ironically, they may not be in the market for long. The aforementioned Vrabel was NFL Coach of the Year in 2021. As a former Patriots linebacker and member of the franchise’s hall of fame, he has long been thought to be at the top of Kraft's wish list. A report in November called Vrabel, in fact, the "home run hire" as Belichick's replacement.

Other potential coaching candidates include current Pats linebackers coach Jerod Mayo, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, Minnesota Vikings defensive coach (and also, ex-Patriot) Brian Flores. 

Things are about to get even more interesting in Foxboro — and Robert Kraft is due up at the plate to show off that “home run swing” all Patriots fans are hoping he still has in him. 

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