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Concerns about the job security of New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick have surfaced among his friends, according to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe.
These worries come as Patriots owner Robert Kraft expressed his desire for the team to reach the postseason and win a playoff game after a five-year drought.
Additionally, Kraft made a significant investment in former Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo, potentially indicating his consideration as Belichick’s successor.
Robert Kraft already made it clear in March that he wants the Patriots to make the postseason and win a playoff game for the first time in five years. He also paid Jerod Mayo handsomely to keep him off the coaching market and likely views him as the team’s coach-in-waiting. And Belichick’s friends have privately said they are worried that he is on the hot seat in 2023.
Belichick is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, having led the Patriots to an impressive six Super Bowl championships during his tenure. However, all of those championships were won with the best quarterback ever, Tom Brady, and Belichick is a career losing coach without him.
Since Brady’s departure to the Buccaneers as a free agent in the 2020 season, Belichick’s has failed to make the playoffs twice in the last three years. Furthermore, in their lone playoff appearance, they suffered a humiliating defeat to their division rivals, the Buffalo Bills.
Adding to the uncertainty surrounding Belichick’s future is his age. Having turned 71 years old in April, the head coach’s age is becoming a factor that cannot be overlooked.
Volin’s report also suggests that Patriots quarterback Mac Jones may have a closer relationship with the Kraft family than Belichick does. It was previously rumored that Jones had upset Belichick by seeking alternative solutions to the team’s struggling offense last season without the coach’s knowledge.
It was even reported that Belichick was open to trading Mac Jones this offseason.
One thing is certain, Bill Belichick, coming off a losing 2022 season, needs to turn it around or the chatter will only increase.