“He’s still an unbelievable coach. He knows how to use his talent when they’re out on the field.”
With the Patriots’ miserable 2023 season finally at an end, Robert Kraft and New England’s ownership have a franchise-shifting decision to make.
After years of poor drafting and costly personnel moves, should the 4-13 Patriots usher in a new era and part ways with future Hall of Famer Bill Belichick?
Or is retaining Belichick for a 25th season the best course of action — especially if the coaching legend opts to cede GM responsibilities?
As Kraft and the Patriots ponder their next move, Belichick’s future currently stands as the top storyline hovering over the NFL.
Given Belichick’s resume and the impact that his potential dismissal would generate across the league, it comes as little surprise that several former (and current) Patriots, NFL staffers, and media pundits have offered their opinion of what’s next for the legendary head coach.
Here’s what some noteworthy names are saying about Belichick and his next move in 2024.Rob Gronkowski
The former Patriots tight end and four-time Super Bowl champion echoed his former head coach’s thoughts on Monday morning — noting on NBC’s “Today” that Belichick’s preferred destination in 2024 is still Foxborough.
“I know Coach Belichick definitely wants to stay with the New England Patriots. He’s a Patriot for life. He’s a six-time Super Bowl champion. He’s like grandfathered in,” Gronkowski said. “I would say it’s all up to Mr. (Robert) Kraft — what direction he wants to go with the New England Patriots. In the end, when it really comes down to it, I think he’s gonna keep coach Bill Belichick as head coach for at least another year… He’s gonna bounce back.
“He’s just gotta go out there this offseason and bring some offensive players in and then he’ll be just fine. He’s still an unbelievable coach. He knows how to use his talent when they’re out on the field.”
Gronkowski made an interesting point last week about his rationale for keeping Belichick for at least another year.
After Tom Brady left New England in March 2020 and immediately won a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers, Gronkowski believes that the fear of a similar scenario playing out with Belichick may prompt Kraft to avoid letting his longtime coach go — especially if he goes to a team that already boasts plenty of talent.
“It would just be so hard to see Bill Belichick, Coach Belichick, on another team, on another sideline, being a head coach. It’s just not an ideal situation,” Gronkowski explained on the “Up & Adams Show” last week. “Tom Brady already left the New England Patriots and it started going downhill from there.
“And then imagine Coach Belichick, another New England legend, getting let go and then going to another team and having success. I just don’t think that would sit well with Mr. Kraft. I think that’s in the back of his mind, that that’s a possibility. And also letting him go, knowing you’re letting go one of the greatest coaches of all time, it would just be a tough decision to make.”Rex Ryan
Ryan has had plenty of memorable battles with Belichick over the years, serving as the defensive coordinator on a stingy Ravens roster (2005-08) before taking over as head coach of two AFC East foes in the Jets (2009-14) and Bills (2015-16).
But on Sunday, the current ESPN analyst tipped his cap to his longtime coaching foe — telling Belichick to keep chasing after the NFL’s all-time wins record, be it in New England or elsewhere. Belichick currently has 333 career wins, with Don Shula holding the record at 347.
