Patriots 2023 Season

[Donoghus]

Looking like Matthew Slater's last game.

One of the all time great special teamers and leaders.  Plus he called "heads".

[Roy H.]

Sounds like leaks are starting to come out about the dysfunction of this season:

https://www.bostonherald.com/2024/01/04/inside-the-patriots-fall-to-rock-bottom-in-the-bill-belichick-era/

I've got to say, I had completely forgotten that the Pats were 8-9 last year.  This year has been a free fall.

(Quotes here if you're behind a pay wall: https://www.yahoo.com/sports/report-details-patriots-eye-opening-150103612.html)

[Phantom255x]

It really does feel like this is the last week of Belichick in New England. The reporting, articles, hell even Belichick's answers are pretty honest and upfront about the fans/organization/career instead of the usual "grumbling" he does in this interviews. Almost like an "acceptance" and all parties set to conduct a mutual parting of the ways. It likely won't be a "Black Monday" thing out of respect for his legacy but at some point next week, I think it's announced.

[Silas]

It really does feel like this is the last week of Belichick in New England. The reporting, articles, hell even Belichick's answers are pretty honest and upfront about the fans/organization/career instead of the usual "grumbling" he does in this interviews. Almost like an "acceptance" and all parties set to conduct a mutual parting of the ways. It likely won't be a "Black Monday" thing out of respect for his legacy but at some point next week, I think it's announced.

To quote R.E.M. "It's the end of the world as we know it (and I feel fine)!

[SparzWizard]

I look forward to Black Monday NFL seeing the headline "Bill Belichick has been relieved of his duties with the New England Patriots."

Good riddance. Time to bring in some new blood, and no more Belichick disciples. We need someone from the Shanahan tree or someone different.

[Neurotic Guy]

I look forward to Black Monday NFL seeing the headline "Bill Belichick has been relieved of his duties with the New England Patriots."

Good riddance. Time to bring in some new blood, and no more Belichick disciples. We need someone from the Shanahan tree or someone different.

I think your headline is likely but I’d be ok bringing him back with a new look on the GM side of things. But that’s so unlikely as to be not really worth mentioning.

Not quite as unlikely, but unlikely, would be a replacement outside the organization - unless Vrabel is itching to come here.  It just seems like Mayo is the Lord in waiting.

[Moranis]

They aren't firing Bill when there is a chance they could trade him and get something for him.

[Neurotic Guy]

They aren't firing Bill when there is a chance they could trade him and get something for him.

That’s a guess - and as likely wrong as right.  I could absolutely see them firing him, giving him full control of where he lands.  Also - firing is much faster allowing Pats to hire their new HC and GM and allow them to get organized well in advance of Draft and free agency. Anyone they trade with has to do their coach interviewing due diligence.

[Donoghus]

They aren't firing Bill when there is a chance they could trade him and get something for him.

That’s a guess - and as likely wrong as right.  I could absolutely see them firing him, giving him full control of where he lands.  Also - firing is much faster allowing Pats to hire their new HC and GM and allow them to get organized well in advance of Draft and free agency. Anyone they trade with has to do their coach interviewing due diligence.

If the team has him under contract for one more season after this (as reported), then they'd be nuts not to do their due diligence and keep him under contract until all trade possibilities are extinguished.  If the team can get an asset or assets for him, you go that route every time.  Especially when you're trying to rebuild.

I mentioned this a few weeks back.  This ownership group has already been thru this twice.  With Parcells on his way out and Belichick on his way in.  I can't imagine them just firing him next week.

I'd be absolutely shocked if he's outright fired right away.

[Phantom255x]

They aren't firing Bill when there is a chance they could trade him and get something for him.

That’s a guess - and as likely wrong as right.  I could absolutely see them firing him, giving him full control of where he lands.  Also - firing is much faster allowing Pats to hire their new HC and GM and allow them to get organized well in advance of Draft and free agency. Anyone they trade with has to do their coach interviewing due diligence.

If the team has him under contract for one more season after this (as reported), then they'd be nuts not to do their due diligence and keep him under contract until all trade possibilities are extinguished.  If the team can get an asset or assets for him, you go that route every time.  Especially when you're trying to rebuild.

I mentioned this a few weeks back.  This ownership group has already been thru this twice.  With Parcells on his way and Belichick on his way in.  I can't imagine them just firing him next week.

I'd be absolutely shocked if he's outright fired right away.

I'm just curious as to what kind of trade price he even has around the league. I'd be surprised if teams were willing to give up a high draft pick (or multiple moderate ones) for a 72-year old coach who has been meh since Brady left. Broncos are sort of getting burned by what they traded for Payton.

Belichick also has leverage. He could easily say he's not interested in a team that the Krafts might try to trade him to, and then that deal goes away because the other team is scared off. I doubt Belichick will want to get saddled with a team he has no interest coaching for.

It's certainly possible they find a mutual partner which Belichick likes as well. We'll see.

[Roy H.]

They aren't firing Bill when there is a chance they could trade him and get something for him.

That’s a guess - and as likely wrong as right.  I could absolutely see them firing him, giving him full control of where he lands.  Also - firing is much faster allowing Pats to hire their new HC and GM and allow them to get organized well in advance of Draft and free agency. Anyone they trade with has to do their coach interviewing due diligence.

If the team has him under contract for one more season after this (as reported), then they'd be nuts not to do their due diligence and keep him under contract until all trade possibilities are extinguished.  If the team can get an asset or assets for him, you go that route every time.  Especially when you're trying to rebuild.

I mentioned this a few weeks back.  This ownership group has already been thru this twice.  With Parcells on his way and Belichick on his way in.  I can't imagine them just firing him next week.

I'd be absolutely shocked if he's outright fired right away.

I'm just curious as to what kind of trade price he even has around the league. I'd be surprised if teams were willing to give up a high draft pick (or multiple moderate ones) for a 72-year old coach who has been meh since Brady left. Broncos are sort of getting burned by what they traded for Payton.

Belichick also has leverage. He could easily say he's not interested in a team that the Krafts might try to trade him to, and then that deal goes away because the other team is scared off. I doubt Belichick will want to get saddled with a team he has no interest coaching for.

It's certainly possible they find a mutual partner which Belichick likes as well. We'll see.

I don't think a coach can be "traded" to a team he doesn't want to coach. 

[Moranis]

They aren't firing Bill when there is a chance they could trade him and get something for him.

That’s a guess - and as likely wrong as right.  I could absolutely see them firing him, giving him full control of where he lands.  Also - firing is much faster allowing Pats to hire their new HC and GM and allow them to get organized well in advance of Draft and free agency. Anyone they trade with has to do their coach interviewing due diligence.

If the team has him under contract for one more season after this (as reported), then they'd be nuts not to do their due diligence and keep him under contract until all trade possibilities are extinguished.  If the team can get an asset or assets for him, you go that route every time.  Especially when you're trying to rebuild.

I mentioned this a few weeks back.  This ownership group has already been thru this twice.  With Parcells on his way and Belichick on his way in.  I can't imagine them just firing him next week.

I'd be absolutely shocked if he's outright fired right away.

I'm just curious as to what kind of trade price he even has around the league. I'd be surprised if teams were willing to give up a high draft pick (or multiple moderate ones) for a 72-year old coach who has been meh since Brady left. Broncos are sort of getting burned by what they traded for Payton.

Belichick also has leverage. He could easily say he's not interested in a team that the Krafts might try to trade him to, and then that deal goes away because the other team is scared off. I doubt Belichick will want to get saddled with a team he has no interest coaching for.

It's certainly possible they find a mutual partner which Belichick likes as well. We'll see.

I don't think a coach can be "traded" to a team he doesn't want to coach.

Absolutely correct, but he can still be traded and the Pats can still get something for him.  Heck even a 6th rounder is better than nothing, but I suspect they could get a 2nd rounder for him if the team really wanted him and the Pats don't fire him.

[Vermont Green]

Yeah, I don’t see Belichick going along with a trade.

[SparzWizard]

They aren't firing Bill when there is a chance they could trade him and get something for him.

That’s a guess - and as likely wrong as right.  I could absolutely see them firing him, giving him full control of where he lands.  Also - firing is much faster allowing Pats to hire their new HC and GM and allow them to get organized well in advance of Draft and free agency. Anyone they trade with has to do their coach interviewing due diligence.

If the team has him under contract for one more season after this (as reported), then they'd be nuts not to do their due diligence and keep him under contract until all trade possibilities are extinguished.  If the team can get an asset or assets for him, you go that route every time.  Especially when you're trying to rebuild.

I mentioned this a few weeks back.  This ownership group has already been thru this twice.  With Parcells on his way out and Belichick on his way in.  I can't imagine them just firing him next week.

I'd be absolutely shocked if he's outright fired right away.

Should have fired him after the Raiders game, and if not, the Colts game in Germany. 4 years post-Brady and this looks like a mess. Mac Jones is a mess. Zappe is a lost cause.

[Neurotic Guy]

Snow is likely to have some influence on whether the Pats are in line for the 2nd/3rd pick in the draft v. the 5th/6th pick.

Snow is definitely an equalizer and will likely play into the hands of the defenses - both teams’ relative strengths.

If it comes down to field goals, edge has to go to the Jets.