Usually players and coaches who have earned the status of an all-time great like New England Patriots leader Bill Belichick don’t have to worry about their job security. Belichick, who has the most Super Bowl victories as a head coach in NFL history with six, is considered one of, if not the greatest, football coach of all time.
Yet, there’s a bit of an asterisk involved, as Tom Brady is also one of the greatest players of all time, and he was there, helping the Pats win all six Lombardi Trophies too. Does that mean Belichick isn’t as good as we think?
The debates will never end, but Belichick’s respect as a coach goes far back beyond Brady’s arrival as the 199th pick in 2000. And he’s still here, after Brady’s departure.
But while the world witnessed Brady win another ring without Belichick and the Patriots, the pressure is mounting in New England. Especially since they’ve gone .500 since TB12 took his talent to Tampa.
Now, several sources, including Tom Curran of NBC Sports Boston, report Belichick is legitimately on the hot seat, coaching for his job during the 2023-24 season. Here’s what Curran had to say during a recent appearance on The Rich Eisen Show.
“He’s on the hot seat. And he’s been there at different levels of warmth since 2019.”
Patriots insider Tom Curran on Bill Belichick
It’s an interesting situation to monitor as Mac Jones heads into his third full season as a starter, hoping to show why he deserved to be a first-round pick, even if some within the organization aren’t sold on his skills.
Moreso, Belichick is still chasing another record, held by Don Shula, as the NFL’s all-time wins leader with 328 regular season victories. Belichick has 298. At 71 years old, how much longer will Belichick lead the way?
The Patriots also have rising star Jerod Mayo on the coaching staff and many view him as a potential heir apparent to coach Belichick. Should the Patriots struggle this season, might we see the first head coaching change in New England since 2000?
Related: Who is the highest-paid NFL coach? (Today and All-Time)