'Wild!': Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs React to New England Patriots, Bill Belichick Rumors

Despite all the rumors about New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick's job security, one of his greatest foes still has the utmost admiration for him.

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick's future has been a huge question mark throughout the team's nightmare 2023 season, and it was no different after Sunday's 27-17 home loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

While Belichick was spared from the usual questions about his job security, which almost certainly would've been met with the same minimal responses that Belichick normally gives, the Chiefs certainly got their fair share of them. From their answers, it's abundantly clear that they still have great respect for the future Hall of Fame coach, even in the worst season of his Patriots tenure.

Belichick and Kelce shake hands after Sunday's game / David Butler II - USA TODAY Sports

"I've just got all the respect in the world for that guy," Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce told reporters. "Every single time I go up against him – it's the toughest job in the NFL, to go up against a Bill Belichick defense. He throws so much at you. He always has a lot of guys that can play smart, so hats off to Belichick for today, for making my life tough, that's for damn sure. On top of that, getting a good group of guys that play well together, I've got a lot of respect for that team."

When asked about the possibility of Belichick not being on the sidelines for the next Patriots-Chiefs matchup, Kelce struggled to even fathom that idea.

“The fact you just said that, I mean yeah, that’s wild to even think about," Kelce said. "But I got a feeling that guy has some football left in him.”

Belichick is in his 24th season as the Patriots' leading man, and he has guided the once downtrodden franchise to unprecedented success. Six Super Bowl titles, nine appearances in the big game and three Coach of the Year awards are just the highlights of Belichick's run in New England - a run that will likely never be repeated again.

“He’s been here for so long and obviously staying in my lane and just wish everyone the best and I just try and control what I can control… There’s so much going on, I just try and stay in my lane, think about what I can do to get better as a football player and [I’m just] very happy to have been a Patriot,” said former New England and current Kansas City guard Joe Thuney.

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Regardless of what the future holds for Belichick, and the current discourse surrounding him, he will always be one of the most-respected coaches in the league.

"He's done an unbelievable job, best in the business, ever," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. "That's what you're talking about, so, yeah. I don't question it. I know how great he is, and I've got to deal with him by playing against him, so nobody better, not that I've gone against. Nobody better."

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