The majority of the Patriots palace intrigue lately has revolved around Tom Brady's playing future. His Facebook Watch series, "Tom vs. Time," ended on a cryptic note. In the final scene, Brady appeared to question whether he still has the conviction to play football.
But not long ago, Bill Belichick's future was the subject of speculation. It all started with the bizarre Jimmy Garoppolo trade, in which Belichick shipped off Brady's heir apparent for a second-round draft pick after calling just one team. A couple of days later, ESPN's Seth Wickersham published his first of two Patriots exposes, which quoted friends of Belichick's predicting the coach was nearing retirement.
Wickersham's second story further stoked those rumors, with its revelation that Patriots owner Robert Kraft forced Belichick into trading Garoppolo. Then New York Daily News national NFL writer Gary Myers quoted a "source close to Belichick" who said the Hoodie was eyeing the Giants' head coaching opening.
The strangeness continued through Super Bowl morning, when ESPN's Dianna Russini suggested Belichick and Brady could retire after Super Bowl LI. Russini quickly walked her tweet back.
It's been a strange offseason in Foxboro. Players aren't taking discounts to stay, and the ones left seem to be sending out signals for help. But Belichick has carried on per usual. Last week, his cold-blooded approach to free agency was on display, with the Patriots watching several key players –– Nate Solder, Malcolm Butler, Danny Amendola –– leave for greener financial pastures. Even though Brady and Belichick are seemingly both nearing the end, the Patriots continue to operate like they're working with a five-year window.
If Belichick is thinking about walking away soon –– as in, next year –– he isn't acting like it.
That extends to his annual college pro day tour. On Wednesday, Belichick stopped by Georgia's pro day, which is his third in three days. He's been chatting with draft prospects and flattering them. During his recent visit to North Carolina State, Belichick told defensive end Bradley Chubb, a possible top-10 pick, he was too highly decorated to fall back to the Patriots.
"Honor to meet you, Coach Belichick."The @Patriots head coach led Bradley Chubb (@ASTROCHUBB) through a drill at @PackFootball's Pro Day. pic.twitter.com/uzWsGzPtDq
— NFL (@NFL) March 19, 2018Belichick is 65 years old. If he wanted to start easing into retirement, surely skipping out on pro days would be an easy way to do it. Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio, who's been at Belichick's side for 17 years, is surely capable of making the majority of trips himself.
But Belichick appears to be going as hard as ever. The end might still be nigh, but there are no tangible signs to support that theory.
