Despite 'Rough Patch' Super Bowl Hero Endorses Belichick Return to Patriots

Count Super Bowl XXXIX MVP Deion Branch among the New England Patriots who still believe in Bill Belichick.

One of Bill Belichick's best offensive players is now playing defense for his former coach.

With the debate around Belichick's future as the New England Patriots' boss prepared to reach a crescendo upon season's end in two weeks, former Foxborough receiver Deion Branch firmly planted himself in the camp to keep him for a 25th season.

“Knowing coach Belichick and the man and coach he is, the respect that he’s earned in the NFL and from the players on that team, he will be the head coach next season," Branch told NESN. "I think coach Belichick and (Patriots owner Bob) Kraft have an amazing relationship.”

USA TODAY SPORTS

Branch, currently the director of player development at his alma mater of Louisville, is certainly well-versed in Belichick's brand of success. The second-round pick from the 2002 draft played a vital role on two Super Bowl teams and won the game's MVP award in the latter triumph (a 24-21 win over Philadelphia in Super Bowl XXXIX). Over two terms in Foxborough (2002-05, 2010-12), Branch produced 4,297 yards and 24 touchdowns, adding 852 and four more in 14 playoff games.

Branch's successors are set for two more meaningless games before the silver linings start to pile up: New England (4-11) is poised to hold a high draft pick next spring and has over $74 million in 2024 cap space to spend (third-highest in the league). Branch hinted that it would be silly not to let Belichick, who also serves as New England's general manager, handle those assets.

Belichick Reacts to Kraft's Silence On Patriots' Future

“Those guys will make things work,” Branch said. “They’ll get through this. It’s a rough patch. This is a position that no one in the country nor Patriots fans are used to being in. Now, everybody is pulling hairs thinking that it’s over.” 

Time will tell if Belichick's next game serves as his penultimate New England showing, as he and his Patriots face the Buffalo Bills on Sunday afternoon (1 p.m. ET, CBS). 

---