6 rings: What to make of Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft's comments on College GameDay
With questions about Bill Belichick’s job security with the Patriots continuing to make the rounds as the 2023 season comes to a close, it's worth asking if the decision has already been made.
On Monday's episode of NBC Sports Boston’s Arbella Early Edition, Patriots insider Tom E. Curran suggested that that may be the case.
“When they came out of Germany,” said Curran. “Conversations I had that week made it very clear that a decision was made, and they were going to play out the string, and at the end of the year there would be a parting of the ways.”
“For a variety of reasons,” he continued. “And I wasn’t told this specifically, but the main one being, you don’t fire Bill Belichick during the season. It’s just not going to happen. Additionally though, he’s an asset. He’s under contract for another year, which we reported after ESPN of NFL Media reported there was a ‘long-term extension in place that would keep Bill locked up long-term’. It’s only through next year. So that would not be an impediment to them changing course. It had gone too far. The Germany game. The Commanders game. The Saints game. All huge, marquee games. And then there was the Chargers game after that.”
“Just because they won last week against Pittsburgh in primetime,” Curran finished. “I don’t think it quells anything.”
New England's win against the Steelers last Thursday mixed with Foxborough playing host to 2023's Army-Navy game brought Belichick's job status to the forefront on a national stage. During Saturday's broadcast of College GameDay live at Gillette Stadium, ESPN's Pat McAfee made it sound like he was in the know about a verdict on the head coach.
“I don’t envy your position, what’s about to happen,” he said to owner Robert Kraft as his segment came to a close. “We all know. We don’t have to ask.”
Additionally, on FOX's Sunday pregame show, former Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman gave his take on the matter and didn't sound convinced that Belichick would be back in Foxborough next season.
“Long marriages are tough,” said the Super Bowl LIII MVP. “It's going to be interesting. I really, honestly, think only three people know what's going to happen next year. Bill, RKK, and Jonathan, and I don't think they're going to address it until the season's over.”
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
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