BREAKING NEWS: Bill Belichick retires from head coaching, effective immediately.
Well, folks, I’d say this is massive news, but that would be an extreme understatement. An era has ended.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports:
“Breaking News: Last night, Belichick met with Robert Kraft and informed the team owner that he would be ‘stepping down’ from head coaching.”
It is unclear whether or not Belichick will be staying in the organization, but with all the animosity in the Patriots organization, Belichick’s age, and his already decorated trophy case, it’s unlikely that Bill has anything left to give to New England. Belichick, after 17 seasons coaching the Patriots and 5 with the Browns, has won 14 AFC East Division titles and five Super Bowls, the most ever for a head coach.
After losing Super Bowl LII to the Philadelphia Eagles, many Patriots fans have blamed Belichick because of his inexplicable decision to bench Malcolm Butler. Combined with the tension apparent in the past couple of seasons between Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady over Brady’s self-first attitude, this may have been the straw that broke the camel’s back.
I’m going to be the first to say it: this isn’t the end of the world. For despairing Patriots fans, refrain from climbing lampposts, punching police horses, or rending your garments. Belichick has been a thorn in the side of New England’s most important player and team owner for years now, and literally cost us another Super Bowl win because of his pretentious, self-centered attitude. Belichick was also the guy who traded away our future franchise quarterback, Jimmy Garoppolo, for a box of donuts. If Belichick had one leg out the door heading into the season, what good would he have been?
Schefter also reports that “Patriots’ OC Josh McDaniels will take over as head coach for 2018-2019.” This part of the story was to be expected, as whispers about McDaniels succeeding Belichick began once he bailed on the Indianapolis Colts’ head coaching job.
In other related news, the Patriots have been in close communication with free agent QB Johnny Manziel. Could we be looking at the future of the Patriots organization in McDaniels and Manziel? I’m crossing my fingers.
April Fools! And Happy Easter from all of us at Third and Long.
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