Rumors have been swirling about the future of New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick. However, a new report suggests owner Robert Kraft might be “conflicted” on Belichick’s future with the organization.
Belichick is one of the most successful coaches in NFL history, but these last three seasons in the post-Tom Brady era have not gone smoothly.
Currently, New England sits at 4-11 and is in position for the fourth overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft. New England has played better in recent weeks, going 2-2 in their last four games with Bailey Zappe starting at quarterback.
Boston Sports Journal’s Greg Bedard appeared on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Felger & Mazz” and spoke about the growing uncertainty with Kraft and Belichick’s job status.
“I don’t think winning two of the last three against teams going nowhere — to me, that doesn’t change what’s fundamentally wrong with the football program of the Patriots,” Bedard said, via NESN’s Dakota Randall. “However, I will say that, making calls the last day or so and talking to people … I think Robert is making calls and talking to people that know of the Patriots’ football program.
“…I did talk to one person who said that they think that Robert is quote-unquote conflicted at this point. And I think that, all things being equal … I do think that the Krafts had settled on, ‘We need to move on after this season.’ I do think there’s a difference between making that decision and Robert actually going through with it. Actually sitting down with Bill and saying, ‘I think it’s time for us to go different ways.’ … I do think that it’s gonna be hard for Robert to ultimately pull the trigger.”
It would be one of the bolder moves of Kraft’s tenure as owner to fire the man responsible for building the Patriots’ dynasty.
However, New England has struggled to keep up with the rest of the NFL in recent seasons, and change might be needed.