NFL Fans Thank Bill Belichick for Run as Patriots Lose to Jets in Possible Last Game

Maybe Bill Belichick will stay with the New England Patriots after all, if only because this can't be how his legendary run with the franchise ends.

The Patriots suffered a 17-3 loss to the New York Jets to close out their 2023 season.

Neither team had much success handling the snowy conditions at Gillette Stadium. New England and New York combined for 365 yards. Bailey Zappe went 12-of-30 for 88 yards and two interceptions, and he was sacked six times.

Three field goals from Greg Zuerlein was enough to keep the Jets ahead, and Breece Hall removed any doubt about the outcome with his 50-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

The absence of a lot of on-field action meant Belichick drove the narrative even more.

Fox Sports' Jay Glazer reported Sunday the 71-year-old is expected to be gone, and the only question is whether the Patriots hold out for a trade or allow for a clean break. While it's reasonable to conclude his tenure has run its course at this point, that doesn't change what he has done for the organization.

Plenty on social media took a reflective view as the Pats appear to be approaching a definitive conclusion to what's likely to be their most successful era for a long time:

A lifeless defeat to the Jets isn't an ideal way for Belichick to walk away, but it's doubtful this was so bad either he or team owner Robert Kraft reverses course. If anything, the result reinforced the need for change.

Maybe Belichick can at least write a better ending to his coaching career elsewhere.