NFL Fans Honor Bill Belichick's Historic Run After Patriots Part Ways with Legend

It's actually over.

After 24 years and six Super Bowl titles, the New England Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick are going their separate ways, per multiple reports.

The move doesn't come as a shock considering the Patriots had their worst finish (4-13) under the legendary head coach. New England had also been treading water in the four years since Tom Brady left as a free agent. For as much as Belichick contributed to the franchise, this was probably the right time.

Still, it's one thing to expect Belichick to no longer coach the Patriots. It's another to see it happen.

Belichick's departure also comes only one day after Nick Saban retired as Alabama's head coach and Pete Carroll was ousted as the Seattle Seahawks' head coach. That added to the sense that an era of football as a whole is coming to a close.

Of course, this may not be the end for Belichick as an NFL head coach. With the writing on the wall for weeks and perhaps months, fans have debated where the 71-year-old would fit best around the league. ESPN's Dan Graziano already reported the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Commanders are expected to be the "most likely" contenders.

But it will be jarring to see Belichick standing on a sideline in a hoodie that doesn't have the Patriots logo.