Even if the New England Patriots choose to move on from Bill Belichick this offseason, it won’t be a quick decision.
According to Ben Volin of The Boston Globe, the Patriots may take “several weeks” before deciding Belichick’s future.
Belichick will reportedly have multiple discussions with Patriots owner Robert Kraft. The franchise will probably have a better idea of what to do at head coach once that hurdle is cleared.
“Don’t expect a swift resolution on the NFL’s ‘Black Monday,’ or the days after,” Volin wrote. “Moving on from a legendary coach, as many inside the league expect to happen, is a delicate dance for Kraft. The expectation is that Kraft and Belichick will have multiple discussions over the next several weeks before any decision is set in stone.”
The Patriots will close out their season on Sunday, but it could take “weeks” to reach a final decision on Bill Belichick’s job status, according to a new report. https://t.co/nRssG9qzw8
— NESN (@NESN) January 5, 2024
This isn’t the first time something like this has been reported. Tom Curran of NBC Sports said the Patriots could delay their search for a new coach if they’re hell-bent on trading Belichick.
“That’s three weeks less that the new coach has to prepare the team,” Curran said. “Three weeks less that there is a personnel department with a clearly defined vision for 2024.”
It’ll be fascinating to see how the next few weeks play out for Belichick and the Patriots.