If the Patriots’ current uncertainty surrounding Bill Belichick’s future with the franchise was a classic episode of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” the music would have run out and late, great host Regis Philbin would be looking for a final answer.
Black Monday has passed. As has whatever you call the Tuesday after Black Monday.
It’s now Wait for it Wednesday and other teams have made their decisions regarding the return or departure of their previous coaches and GMs. They’ve even begun the process of requesting interviews with replacement candidates from other teams.
Life comes at you fast, especially in the postseason job hunting and gathering of the NFL. Many believe there must be haste, as staffs must be filled out, the Senior Bowl is coming. No time to waste!
Yet, here we are in New England, no more definition or public clarity on Belichick, his coaching staff or the front office makeup of the Patriots than when the final whistle blew and the snow settled on the ugly 17-3 loss to the Jets on Sunday at Gillette Stadium.
And guess what, that’s OK!
Be quick, but don’t hurry. John Wooden’s legendary quote from his time reaching legendary status leading the UCLA basketball program is exactly the approach necessary these days in New England.
Whether you are a Belichick supporter or believe that the time has come for change, we can all agree the decision is one of the biggest that Robert Kraft has made in his time owning the Patriots. Certainly the biggest since he decided to allow Belichick to make the decision to let Tom Brady walk in free agency. And that one, well it didn’t work out too well for the Foxborough football operation either on the field or in the field of public opinion.
There are layers to the decision, regardless of how it plays out in the coming hours, days or even weeks. Pitfalls, pratfalls, hurdles and even a few stumbling blocks.
If Belichick -- who went all Elsa and Anna from Frozen to remind the world for the first time in forever that he’s under contract – is to return, it wouldn’t and necessarily couldn’t come without some form of other change.
The status cannot be Belichickian quo after consecutive losing seasons, the most recent an ugly, bottoming out 4-13 year with more reported behind the scene’s dysfunction.
Even Belichick, in his postseason video call with the media, acknowledged the need to do things differently in New England and different would have to come with negotiated power and structure, even if the current sideline and war room boss goes nowhere.
But, more likely, Belichick and the Patriots feel like they are doing a delicate divorce dance. A separation that has not yet led to them going their separate ways, each side protecting their own best interests and future.
For the Patriots, that could very well mean Kraft looking to avoid paying Belichick’s significant salary for 2024, which would be the requirement in a pure firing. Kraft could and should be looking to trade Belichick to another team, getting his salary off the New England budget books and getting something in return for a guy many believe is the greatest coach of all time, something he didn’t do when Brady was allowed to simply fly south to Tampa to collect his favorite Super Bowl ring.
For Belichick, he probably wants his salary and the freedom to find his next landing spot, something he and Kraft allowed Brady.
What’s good for the GOAT is good for the Hoodie after all, right? Even if Belichick might be ready to move on from the Patriots he has to look out for No. 1 as he so famously did this month nearly a quarter century ago when he resigned as the HC of the NYJ to pave his way up 95 to New England.
As easy as we in the talk-radio, Twitter, internet landscape may try to make it seem, this potential parting of ways between Belichick and the Patriots is complicated. Especially if each side is digging its heels in to look out for their one-sided best interests. Which is indeed what each side should be doing.
That’s why it’s taking time. Because it probably should and maybe even has to.
There is no music running out. There’s no need for a decision to appease the fanatic or media masses.
The important thing for Kraft and the Patriots is to make sure they do the right thing.
This decision, this potential delicate divorce and new hire to begin the new era of New England football can’t be rushed.
Yes, it needs to be done.
But most importantly, it needs to be done right.
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