Bill Belichick Is On A Hot Seat: Who Is Most Likely To Replace The Patriots’ Coach?
One of the major NFL storylines is poised to begin with Bill Belichick’s tenure as coach and general manager of the New England Patriots, which isn’t certain to last until the 2023 campaign.
Bill Belichick Is On A Hot Seat: Who Is Most Likely To Replace The Patriots’ Coach?
After spending 23 years as the team’s head coach and winning six Super Bowls, could he be leaving New England?
Considering all that Belichick has meant to the Patriots organization, it feels strange to say this aloud. He is the mastermind behind selecting Tom Brady, the greatest quarterback of all time, and building a dynasty that will become the benchmark for all professional sports.
Mike Vrabel being the next head coach of the New England Patriots makes a lot of sense and has merit. He is a good coach who needs a new change of scenery. It’s played out in Tennessee. He is 51-38 with the Titans, with awful quarterbacks. Perfect successor to Bill Belichick. pic.twitter.com/n45v60nVuV
— Dave Robicheaux 🛜 (@DaveyRobicheaux) November 2, 2023
The Patriots are having yet another losing season despite making the playoffs the previous two years. What was an issue for the club in 2022 has only gotten worse, and the squad’s problems have recently been made worse by an inept defence.
Even though head coach Bill Belichick just received a contract extension, there has been increasing conjecture that he may not return for the next year.
As the Patriots owner, Robert Kraft will have to make one of the most difficult choices he has ever had to make. Is it time to put Belichick behind him?
I'm not great at lip-reading, but I believe Bill Belichick said 'I disagree with that call, but i respect it!'pic.twitter.com/wEV8Rmrqa4
— Sam Monson (@PFF_Sam) October 29, 2023
No, Mike Vrabel, the current head coach of the Tennessee Titans and a Patriots Hall of Famer, is Kraft’s favoured candidate for Belichick, as Ben Volin of The Boston Globe recently reported. The Vrabel rumour was part of a larger narrative about the Krafts’ feelings over the future of New England, which also included speculation about potential candidates for general manager and head coach.
Reports began to surface that Belichick should be fired either during this season or after the season. With a 2-6 record through their first eight games, the Patriots seem headed for a rebuild.
Is Ron Rivera a better coach than Bill Belichick?
"Both guys coached Cam Newton and only one went to the Super Bowl" – @pftcommenter pic.twitter.com/ybWzcAGeNb
— Barstool Gambling (@stoolgambling) November 5, 2023
But there are a lot of factors involved. Both Belichick’s rumored contract restructuring and his interest in being traded to a team like the Washington Commanders, for example, may be taken into consideration. Furthermore, we don’t even know if he intends to continue coaching after this season.
“He entered the team’s Hall of Fame last month. He’s beloved by the fans. He’s respected by Belichick. He could be the perfect bridge from the Patriot Way to Vrabel’s Way, which has worked in Tennessee despite some less-than-ideal personnel decisions by the front office,” Florio wrote.
RUMORS: #Patriots Owner Robert Kraft may look to target #Titans HC Mike Vrabel as the successor to Bill Belichick, per Boston Globe's Senior NFL Writer @BenVolin. New England would have to acquire Vrabel through trade… #Titanup #ForeverNE pic.twitter.com/9wl0nlSY6N
— SharmSports (@SharmSports_NFL) November 4, 2023
It is obviously uncertain if Vrabel would be interested in leaving Tennessee at all, but given his history in the area and his eight seasons of playing for the team during their winning season, the 48-year-old would undoubtedly find it extremely intriguing.
That being said, the note on Vrabel is intriguing. It’s also a little unexpected given that Mayo, who coaches the linebackers for New England now, seemed to be the likely future head coach. Volin stated that Mayo may be elevated to defensive coordinator rather than being a “lock” to become the team’s next head coach.
.@ColinCowherd reacts to the rumors speculating Bill Belichick could be dealt to the Commanders: pic.twitter.com/eaYMB3BRKi
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) November 2, 2023
Belichick’s employment situation will undoubtedly be the main Patriots narrative in the upcoming days, weeks, and months.
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