Patriots Rumors: Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft Didn't Discuss 'Split at Any Point'

If Sunday is going to be the final game for Bill Belichick as head coach of the New England Patriots, it will be the first time he has talked to Robert Kraft about a breakup all season.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Belichick and Kraft "have not yet talked about a split at any point this season," though they are expected to meet for a discussion about the future soon.

There's been a feeling for several weeks that Belichick's historic tenure with the Patriots will end after this season.

Tom Curran of NBC Sports Boston reported last month the Patriots made the decision to move on from Belichick after the team's 10-6 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Germany on Nov. 12.

"When they came out of Germany, conversations I had that week made it very clear that a decision was made," Curran said. "They were going to play out the string, and at the end of the year there would be a parting of the ways, for a variety of reasons."

Belichick has been characteristically tight-lipped about everything, though he did allow himself a brief moment of reflection this week when talking to reporters ahead of Sunday's season finale against the New York Jets.

"I've always appreciated the opportunity," Belichick said about his 24 years with the Patriots. "Just looking forward to Sunday's game against the Jets. Like I said, just trying to put our best game out there this year. That's what we're working toward. I'm sure there will be another time to talk about other things, but right now, we're just trying to focus on the Jets."

If Kraft wants to move in a different direction without firing Belichick out of respect for all he's accomplished, one potential solution would be the two sides coming to a mutual parting of ways.

There's also the possibility that Kraft and Belichick decide to run it back, perhaps with some changes to the coaching staff and over personnel power.

The Patriots could end up with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft, depending on the results of Sunday's games. This is a good year to have one of the top two selections if you're a quarterback-needy team.

Whatever the end results of the pending Belichick-Kraft meeting ends up being, it will almost certainly have a huge ripple on everything else that happens across the NFL during the offseason.

Belichick and the Patriots will host the Jets at Gillette Stadium on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.