Bill Belichick’s job status has been called into question this season with the New England Patriots off to a 2-8 start.
It’s possible that the Patriots could fire Belichick or have a “mutual” parting of ways, but the team also has the option to trade the six-time Super Bowl champion head coach.
ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio discussed what it might look like if New England exercises that option, projecting that the Patriots would send Belichick to an AFC West franchise.
“They’re not going to fire Bill Belichick, they’re going to trade Bill Belichick,” Paolantonio said on Get Up Tuesday, via NESN. “They have the rights to Bill Belichick, so this is the big decision. Robert Kraft, Jonathan Kraft, they have to sit down with Bill Belichick and say, ‘All right, we have a big opportunity. You have an opportunity to perhaps go to the LA Chargers. We’re talking the Spanos family, and we’re going to make a trade for you so that you can perhaps — this is the deal, right? You can get the record Don Shula has for most wins with Justin Herbert, with the LA Chargers.’ That’s the thing. But it’s a big divorce, no question about it. It will be the No. 1 story of the offseason: What’s happening with Bill Belichick.”
The Chargers are not the only team to be linked to Belichick. Brandon Staley is in his third season with LA, but his seat is quite warm these days.
Belichick’s job appears to be safe at least through the end of the regular season. After that though, we’ll have to wait and see.
The 2-8 Patriots will take on the 3-8 New York Giants on Sunday.