Retired NFL player compares Patriots’ Bill Belichick to Rex Ryan

One of the most tired conversations involving the New England Patriots over the years has been questioning Bill Belichick’s coaching legacy in the NFL. The debate has only grown duller since Tom Brady left the team nearly three years ago, with people comparing the careers of the quarterback and his former coach.

For years, those outside New England questioned the greatness of both Brady and Belichick had they not worked together for nearly 20 years, as if that is common practice in any professional sport. And now that Brady went on to win a Super Bowl in his first year with the Buccaneers, the absolutes made about Belichick’s career have become increasingly foolish.

Given his successful history since his coaching career began, the expectations placed on Belichick are warranted. Taking a team to the Super Bowl practically every other year is not an easy feat, but expecting the same results immediately post-Brady is absurd and genuinely pedestrian coming from the mouths of those in the media in particular.

It’s no secret that the Patriots have struggled since their former quarterback left nearly three years ago. But not considering the circumstances they have had to deal with would be unjust.

Looking to replace the greatest quarterback ever to play the sport is not something that happens overnight. Belichick knew signing Cam Newton in 2020 was not a long-term solution, leading to the eventual selection of Mac Jones in the following year’s draft. Jones went on to have an outstanding rookie season and helped the team get back into the postseason after missing it the previous year.

In just his second season, Jones has dealt with an uncharacteristically difficult season through the first ten weeks. On top of dealing with the loss of Josh McDaniels, Jones has struggled with the rest of the offense to perform consistently well enough to be an actual threat in the league. Although these facts are clear as day, many fans and those who cover the sport haven’t adjusted their expectations of the team or Belichick and have begun to double down on their conclusions regarding the coach’s career.

No stranger to dishing out the hottest of takes, LeSean McCoy recently appeared on Kay Adam’s show, Up & Adams. As Kay was discussing the greatest coaches in the league, McCoy took issue with the inclusion of Belichick.

"“He’s had Tom Brady. If you take away Tom Brady do you know what he is? He’s under .500 (76-80). That’s what he is. I think he was very blessed to have Tom Brady. Now that he doesn’t have Tom Brady, he’s like all the other coaches, all the other good coaches. The Marvin Lewises, the Rex Ryans.”"

Hearing his ridiculous explanation, Kay audibly gasped, saying, “wow.”

The argument of Belichick having Brady is another debate that has taken on a life of its own, but people fail to remember that the expectations for Brady coming out of college were not high. He was a sixth-round draft pick that wasn’t said to amount to anything in the NFL. Belichick didn’t acquire him from another team after Brady had made a name for himself. The two worked together and accomplished greatness over two decades, something that has never been done before nor will ever be replicated, and doesn’t deserve to be discredited, no matter your personal feelings about those involved.

McCoy then went on to add more to his laughable response.

"“I’m just being honest. People hate for you to be real about Belichick. I think he’s a good coach. But all the ‘greatest’ and ‘we’ve never seen anything like him.’ That’s all bullcrap.”"

It’s not crazy to say that what Belichick has done has never been seen before because it hasn’t. Usually, when this is a talking point for someone in this conversation, they cannot provide another coach that had a career come even remotely close to Belichick’s because they don’t exist.

The former running back then ran to what-about-ism with his response, making the tired claim that if Brady had been with other coaches during the dynasty, he would’ve been just as successful.

"“Imagine if (Mike) Tomlin had Tom Brady, he’d have had multiple championships. Imagine if Andy Reid had Tom Brady. He’d have multiple championships.”"

Other than being an incredible statement, it is diminishing what Brady and Belichick accomplished again, with the focus remaining to discredit how much of an impact Belichick’s coaching had on his quarterback. Brady has repeatedly expressed how well-matched they were and didn’t believe they could’ve accomplished the same success without each other. To credit one as more responsible for their success is irresponsible, regardless of who is believed to be “more responsible” for the Patriots’ success during the dynasty.

But because the Patriots have dealt with so much hatred and disrespect over the years, McCoy’s answer is not that shocking. However, considering all of the factors both Belichick and Brady have faced since parting ways, an objective conversation regarding their careers would not leave those out. And if you do decide to ignore those facts, your viewpoint is tarnished from the start.