“Definitely expect an evaluation period when the regular season ends.”
by Zack Cox | 10 hours ago | 3 min reading
A late-season run could ruin the New England Patriots' chances of landing an elite quarterback prospect in the 2024 NFL Draft.
But it could also save Bill Belichick's job, according to a report from NFL Media's Ian Rapoport on Saturday.
Before New England's Week 15 game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Rapoport reported that Belichick's fate was “not yet decided.”
“Sources say that not only has owner Robert Kraft not come to a firm conclusion about what will happen next with his head coaching situation,” Rapoport wrote, “but the way New England finishes could have a big impact on whether what comes next.”
The Patriots enter Sunday's game at Gillette Stadium with an AFC-worst 3-10 record. They officially exited playoff contention last week, extending their streak of seasons without a playoff win to five. They are on track to be selected No. 2 overall in the upcoming draft.
Tom E. Curran of NBC Sports Boston reported this week that Kraft decided after New England's ugly Week 10 loss in Germany that Belichick would not return in 2024, but Rapoport contradicted that narrative.
“If they beat the Chiefs on Sunday and get a string of wins,” Rapoport wrote, “that could lead to a hope and good feeling that changes their minds and an owner who believed his team should be a playoff team “Be able to give a feeling” as if things were going in the right direction.
“If New England suffers from a performance like the Chargers did against the Raiders before head coach Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco were fired Friday, that could also strengthen tempers, but in the other direction.”
And if the Patriots do indeed fire, trade or otherwise part ways with Belichick, he may not be a victim of Black Monday.
“In any case, expect an evaluation period when the regular season ends, with no immediate conclusion as to whether Belichick is coming,” Rapoport wrote.
Waiting to make the decision would be a risky move as it could limit the pool of potential replacements. Kraft endorsed current linebackers coach Jerod Mayo as his preferred Belichick successor last offseason, but recent reports suggest the Patriots owner may be moving on from that plan.
The Patriots, who defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers last Thursday and lost five games, started the weekend as underdogs with an eight-point lead against Patrick Mahomes and the reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs. They conclude their schedule with road games against the Denver Broncos and Buffalo Bills on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, followed by a home game against the New York Jets in Week 18.
About the author
Zack Cox