6 rings: What to make of Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft's comments on College GameDay
The floodgates on the Bill Belichick rumor mill have officially opened.
After a report from NBC Sports Boston's Tom E. Curran on Monday suggested that "a decision was made [on Belichick's future]... and at the end of the year there would be a parting of the ways," more information has begun to surface about the head coach's future with the Patriots.
"Whether it's team owner Robert Kraft's decision to move on, Belichick's decision to step away, or a mutual decision between the two parties, there is a growing belief around the NFL that someone besides Belichick will be coaching the team in 2024," ESPN's Dan Graziano wrote on Wednesday.
The insider went on to mention that he had covered the end of the Don Shula era with the Dolphins, the Joe Torre era with the Yankees, and the Tom Coughlin era with the Giants and that in all three instances, it was the franchise's decision to move on and that the coach disagreed with the decision. He also added that none of them were framed as a "firing".
"Each announcement was accompanied by at least some attempt by the team to honor the man's accomplishments rather than just unceremoniously boot him out the door," Graziano explained. "This is my expectation for what happens at the end of the season in New England, based on multiple conversations with people in and around the building."
That's now two prominent reporters in the last 72 hours suggesting that the Belichick era in Foxborough is likely coming to an end and while where there's smoke there's often fire, the head coach won't entertain the rumors.
"I'm getting ready for Kansas City," Belichick told reporters on Wednesday when asked about his understanding of his job status.
The Patriots will take on the Chiefs from Gillette Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
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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