On Sunday, the New England Patriots will conclude what has been a challenging and disappointing season with a final game against the New York Jets.
The Patriots’ struggles this season have led to speculation about the unthinkable: the potential firing of legendary head coach Bill Belichick.
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the chances of owner Robert Kraft deciding to dismiss Belichick are “highly unlikely.”
“There might be a point where Robert Kraft says, ‘You know what? I’m just going to move on,’ and fires Bill Belichick. That seems to be highly, highly unlikely,” Rapoport stated.
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Rapoport outlined alternative scenarios, including Belichick stepping down as the team’s general manager while retaining his role as head coach. He also suggested the possibility of a mutual parting of ways, emphasizing that in such a scenario, the Patriots would not receive compensation for Belichick’s departure.
Belichick is closing in on 30 wins to surpass Don Shula and become the NFL’s all-time winningest coach. While many initially believed he would achieve this milestone in New England, the team’s recent struggles have cast doubt on that prospect.
Currently, Kraft, Belichick, and the Patriots’ leadership face crucial decisions about the franchise’s future. Patriots fans appear divided on Belichick, but what they truly desire is clarity on the team’s coaching situation moving forward.
