Bill Belichick Open to Relinquishing Patriots Personnel Contract, Won't Talk Rumors

Bill Belichick likely coached his final game in New England on Sunday, but the longtime Patriots coach does seem open to ceding his personnel duties if it means he would continue coaching.

"I'm for whatever we collectively decide as an organization is the best thing to help our football team," Belichick told reporters Monday. "I'm here to work to help our team every day. That's what I'm going to do."

Belichick has had final say over the Patriots roster since he took the job ahead of the 2000 season. However, the team's recent struggles have been a direct byproduct of the coach's failure to properly identify and develop prospects.

New England has had only one first-round pick since 2012 make a Pro Bowl—and that selection was quarterback Mac Jones, who is on the outs after being benched for Bailey Zappe. If we give Belichick credit for Jones' selection, it's worth noting he was an alternate and only played in the game after others dropped out.

Even the kindest reviews of Belichick's drafting in recent years would find swing-and-a-miss after swing-and-a-miss. Isaiah Wynn (2018), Sony Michel (2018) and N'Keal Harry (2019) all failed to remain in New England beyond their rookie contracts, and Wynn was the only one of the offensive trio to even make it through his rookie deal.

Jones has likely played his last down with the Patriots as well after serving as their emergency quarterback in Sunday's loss to the Jets. Guard Cole Strange, New England's 2022 first-round pick, hasn't been overly impressive to this point and the jury is still out on 2023 first-round pick Christian Gonzalez after the cornerback suffered a season-ending injury just four games into his rookie campaign.

The presence of Tom Brady was enough to paper over Belichick's drafting, but Brady's 2020 exit exposed flaws in the roster. New England reached its nadir under Belichick this season, sputtering to a 4-13 record as rumors swirled about the future Hall of Famer's future. In his typical Belichickian fashion, the 71-year-old has refused to speculate on his job status.

"I'm under contract. I'm going to do what I always do," Belichick said. "As far as any decisions or direction for next year, way too early for that."

It's unlikely the Patriots outright fire Belichick given his stature as arguably the greatest coach in NFL history. The more likely scenario is that Belichick and owner Robert Kraft meet and find a more dignified way of reducing his responsibilities or sending him packing outright.

"It might be a series of meetings. I don't know. We'll handle that internally," Belichick said.

With several attractive coaching vacancies across the NFL, the best scenario may be a "mutual parting of ways" to allow Belichick an opportunity to explore the market without a prolonged behind-the-scenes discussion. Peter King of NBC Sports speculated ownership with the Los Angeles Chargers or Washington Commanders may be "starstruck" enough to give Belichick the same type of power he had in New England.

As it stands, Belichick may have to decide whether autonomy or staying with the franchise where he built his legacy is more important.