Patriots' Icon Bill Belichick on Hot Seat: 'Make or Break'?
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones was no stranger to scrutiny throughout this offseason. Following a down year in 2022 - tossing 14 touchdowns to 11 interceptions - rumors began circulating as to whether he was the future in Foxborough.
Despite New England publicly endorsing the third-year signal caller, this season is not only critical for Jones but also coach Bill Belichick according to one ESPN analyst.
"It's a make-or-break year for Bill Belichick, too," ESPN's Chris Canty said. "And I'm not saying that Belichick is in danger of being fired. But I could certainly see a world where the Patriots decide to transition Belichick into the front office and go with a fresh face on the sideline."
Belichick, entering his 24th season at the helm in New England, has failed to reach the postseason in two of the last three years, his worst stretch since taking over in 2000.
"All you have to do is go back to Robert Kraft comments at the owners meetings late in March, what he said about Bill Belichick," Canty said. “I think Bill is exceptional at what he does. And I've given him the freedom to make choices and do things that need to be done. But in the end, this is a business you either execute and win or you don't. That's where we're at. I think we're in a transition phase.
"Now this is a team that hasn't won a playoff game in the last three years out of the tournament to in the last three years. They're not used to being in this territory."
As the longest active tenured head coach in the NFL, Belichick is still viewed among the best in league. However, could New England actually move on from the 71-year-old following another disappointing campaign?
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