Foxborough Beat: Will the Patriots stick with Bill Belichick for another season despite their struggles?

The most stabilized franchise in the NFL over the last two decades is now a chaotic mess dipped in speculation and buzzworthy rumors.  From the Mac Jones debacle to the fate of Bill Belichick, the 3-10 New England Patriots are on the cusp of a franchise changing decision which will answer the burning question of whether Belichick is done in Foxborough.

Well, Patriots fans got a little glimpse of that possibly reality after reports from NBC Sports Boston speculated that a decision has already been made when it comes to Belichick’s tenure in New England.  That belief is that Patriots owner Robert Kraft is ready to cut ties with the legendary coach.

If that is true, the next question will be who is set to follow Belichick as the next head coach in New England?

Bill Belichick, New England Patriots headed towards a climatic conclusion?

With the team in a battle for a top draft pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, a change at head coach seems imminent not just because of the record but because of personnel decisions over the last few seasons that as the roster looking like a hot mess…on the offensive side.  Is there a chance, however, that Belichick’s ending with the Patriots has been prematurely written?

After a win against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and depending on how the team finishes the season, there could be a chance Kraft sticks with Belichick for another season if Belichick doesn’t want to leave.  NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport threw some water on all the smoke and changed the direction of the narrative with the following report:

“While the expectation is that a decision on his future will play out over the next month, sources also say it could take longer than that.

Sources say not only has owner Robert Kraft not come to a firm conclusion on what will happen next with his head-coaching situation, but the way New England finishes could go a long way in determining what’s next.”

That report does contradict all the reports that surfaced earlier in the week that Bill Belichick will not be the coach of the New England Patriots in 2024.  But, what else would anyone expect.  After dominating the NFL for over two decades, the Kraft and Belichick marriage will not end that easily. 

There will be more speculation, rumors and conflict as long as the Patriots looks like a bottom tier team in the league and as long as there are other intriguing head coaching possibilities out there like the Los Angeles Chargers and possibly the Chicago Bears.

With how things have soured the last couple of seasons on the field and off, it feels like the end.  But it sounds like a new beginning with Belichick still leading the organization can’t be ruled out.  The question is how that will look if Kraft and Belichick aren’t ready or willing to go their separate ways.