New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft parted ways with legendary head coach Bill Belichick this week after a sensational 24-year career.
It was a moment that seemed more and more likely as the weeks rolled on and the Patriots kept losing games, culminating in a 4-13 season and the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL draft.
But while the ending was less than perfect, Kraft took some time this week to acknowledge all the good Belichick did during his time in New England, including six Super Bowl championships for the Patriots organization.
“What Bill has done will never be repeated,” Kraft said, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. “It’ll be difficult to see him in a cutoff hoodie on another sideline. I wish him success except when he’s coaching against our beloved Patriots.”
#Patriots owner Robert Kraft: What Bill has done will never be repeated. It’ll be difficult to see him in a cutoff hoodie on another sideline. I wish him success except when he’s coaching against our beloved Patriots.”
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 11, 2024
Seeing Belichick coach another team will be a tough pill to swallow for Kraft and Patriots fans, especially if he stays in the AFC or sees his former team in the postseason.
Kraft’s words make it sound as though Belichick, who will be 72 in April, still wants to coach in the NFL – and he’ll have his suitors.
Reports indicate a few teams could be interested in Belichick, including the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Commanders.
Plenty of other teams have head coaching vacancies as well and may want to bring in someone with unquestionable experience rather than hire a younger first-time head coach.
The key element to Kraft’s statement, though, is that it will be very hard for anyone else to accomplish what Belichick did in New England.
And in a league where records break left and right, Belichick’s legacy could stand for a long time.
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