Regrettably, tanking has found its place in professional sports.
The New England Patriots have experienced a dismal start to the NFL season’s first six games, raising questions about whether some within the organization prefer it to stay that way. With the Patriots in dire need of a complete overhaul, there is a belief that securing a high pick in the 2024 NFL Draft is the best strategy for their future. Head coach Bill Belichick has pledged to assess every facet of the team to get back on track. According to Mike Giardi of Boston Sports Journal, there are individuals within the Patriots who favor a deliberate downturn.
Giardi noted, “Plenty of folks in the upper reaches of the building would rather have more losses than a win or two that could cost draft positioning,” Giardi wrote on Wednesday. “In fact, some are already talking about next year. That’s what 1-5 will do for you.”
In essence, some members of the Patriots’ front office are in agreement with a significant portion of the fan base that believes tanking is the most prudent course of action.
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Belichick, in the traditional sense, is not inclined to tank. He has established himself as arguably the greatest coach in NFL history, but his legacy has taken a hit since Tom Brady’s departure from the Patriots. If New England only wins three or four games this season, his standing will be further diminished.
Furthermore, Don Shula’s record, which Belichick has been chasing, appears to be slipping further from reach with each passing day. Shula, at the age of 71, is stuck at 330 career victories, including playoffs, and Belichick needs another 17 wins to equal Shula as the winningest coach in NFL history. From a personal perspective, every victory holds significance for Belichick at this stage of his career.
A recent report shed light on Patriots owner Robert Kraft’s sentiments about the team’s current status. It’s challenging to envision him or anyone else in the organization having much confidence in this year’s roster. The reality is that the Patriots may not need to intentionally tank to secure a top-five pick in the upcoming draft.
Tanking is detrimental to everyone involved. It is not in the best interest of any party and contradicts the fundamental principles of sports.
