New England Patriots sign Bill Belichick to a contract extension
By Devin Hurst
As reported Sunday morning by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the New England Patriots signed future hall-of-fame head coach Bill Belichick to a contract extension this offseason. This comes as a massive surprise to many as no one had any idea this occurred during the offseason.
From @NFLGameDay: This past offseason, #Patriots coach Bill Belichick quietly agreed to a lucrative multi-year new contract, sources say. That, at least, adds some context to the discussions about the greatest coach in NFL history. pic.twitter.com/ZPjRxzMVzJ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 22, 2023
According to Rapoport's report, the pair agreed to a "lucrative" new contract extension in the offseason. The Patriots have forever kept Belichick's contract discussions and salary behind closed doors. With Belichick being 71 years old, this contract extension ensures his intentions of wanting to coach for at least a few more years.
Coming off a losing season in 2022, where the Patriots' first-round pick quarterback Mac Jones took a step back, I am not sure what compelled Robert Kraft to make sure this deal got done before the 2023-2024 season. Belichick has not shown his own standard of success since the best quarterback of all time, Tom Brady, left New England and took his talents to Tampa, Florida.
As we approach week 7 of the NFL season, the Patriots are 1-5 and have been one of the worst teams in the entire league. Many media and fans have already considered this season to be a lost cause and have been talking about the 2024 NFL Draft as it pertains to what the Patriots could do.
This development has now thrown a huge monkey wrench in the future plans of the Patriots. It has been speculated that Kraft could move on from the Hall of Fame head coach after the season.
Another very credible reporter, Albert Breer, reported how Kraft had already had discussions about moving on from Belichick. Others have had the opinion that he should continue to be the head coach but strip personnel decisions away from him.
While the contract extension doesn't impede ownership from moving on from Belichick after the season, it definitely changes how we view the situation. I predict that this new knowledge of the situation all but guarantees at least one more year with Belichick as part of the Patriots staff.