The New England Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick are going to see their near-quarter century relationship come to an end after the 2023 season.
All signs point in the direction of New England moving off the six-time Super Bowl champion head coach after what has been a disastrous 3-11 season for the team.
We now have some more information on this courtesy of Tom E. Curran of NBC Sports Boston, who suggests that the Patriots will look to create a bidding war for Belichick’s services on the trade front. He also notes that this type of hard-line approach could end up impacting New England’s search for a new head coach. After all, the future Hall of Famer did sign a contract extension with the Patriots last offseason.
We’ve already heard about multiple teams being linked to the 71-year-old Belichick should his time with New England — as expected — come to an end after the next three games.
Most recently, the Washington Commanders have been viewed as a logical landing spot.
“Quite a few people in the NFL see Washington as a logical destination for Belichick as the organization restores its standing following the Daniel Snyder ownership error,” ESPN’s Mike Sando on Bill Belichick’s next destination.
Washington will more than likely fire head coach Ron Rivera after what has been yet another disappointing season for the team. With newish owner Josh Harris looking to change the culture after buying the team from the disgraced Daniel Snyder, that makes sense.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Chargers are also coming up as a potential landing spot after they fired head coach Brandon Staley following an humiliating 63-21 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders back in Week 15.
Related: Travis Kelce has a take about Los Angeles Chargers link to Bill Belichick
The broader question here is whether any team will give up significant draft capital to acquire Belichick given that everyone and their mother know this relationship will soon come to an end.
If New England is holding out for a high-round pick like the New Orleans Saints acquired from the Denver Broncos for Sean Payton last offseason, the process will likely draw out.
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Bill Belichick career coaching record: 301-163, .649% winning, 6 Super Bowl titles
Belichick’s entire body of work and respect around the NFL is by now well known. But the Patriots have gone a combined 28-36 since Tom Brady left for the Buccaneers ahead of the 2020 season. That takes some of the luster away from acquiring someone of Belichick’s ilk.
In addition to the Commanders and Chargers, a ton of other teams will have head coach openings this cycle. The Carolina Panthers fired head coach Frank Reich after less than one season. The Las Vegas Raiders moved on from former Belichick assistant Josh McDaniels.
The likes of the New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennnessee Titans, Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints could also be in the market for a new head coach this cycle.
There is going to be a market for someone of Belichick’s ilk. New England just can’t afford to play hard ball here given the current dynamics.