Oct 30, 2022; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick before the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: New England Patriots at New York Jets
(New England) — One of the best coaches in the history of the sport is reportedly on the hot seat.
Bill Belichick.
That’s according to Tom Curran, NBC Sports Boston’s Patriots insider, who spoke about the matter on “The Rich Eisen Show” on Monday.
“You talk about avoiding the hot seat. Rich: he’s on the hot seat, and he’s been there at different levels of warmth since 2019,” Curran said.
“In training camp it was still not forthcoming, and he was like, ‘You know what, if I don’t get this thing, I’m walking out.’ It was explained to Belichick that was the case. They got something done. It was not a two-year guaranteed contract. It was two years with a team option.”
Belichick is regarded as one of the greatest coaches of all time, accumulating six Super Bowls victories during his time in New England.
The Patriots are 25-25 over the past three seasons following Tom Brady’s departure with just one playoff appearance, however.
Curran believes another mediocre season might force owner Robert Kraft’s hand.
“Kraft has pointed out a number of times, ‘I’m anxious. I want results.’ And he’s not getting them,” Curran said.
Curran went onto say that the Patriots “never had a real plan” after Tom Brady left.
Regardless, Belichick’s mark will forever be left on the game, coaching to an astonishing 329-165 career record with 70% playoff win rate.
As for who could be in line next? Former linebacker and up-and-coming assistant coach Jerod Mayo.
“If they look disorganized, dysfunctional and discipline’s out the window, then they might say, ‘That was a great run, but can you go upstairs and just watch Jerod coach next year?'” Curran told Eisen.
