When I made the case for trading Tom Brady and going forward with Jimmy Garoppolo (after the 2017 season), I was met with a tidal wave of criticism. “You can’t trade Tom Brady because he’s Tom Brady” was one of the most common and foolish comments I heard.
The idea that there are players or coaches who are “untradeable” is beyond ridiculous. Everyone is on the market. Everyone has a price. Hell, I’d trade myself if I got a good deal. if ESPN called up this glorious global enterprise and offered us a great deal for me (maybe Stephen A. Smith, Adam Schefter, and an analyst to be named later), I would do absolutely do it.
This brings us to Bill Belichick. There’s no questioning the man’s greatness. At the very least, he’s a top two coach all-time (I’d rank him first but wouldn’t have a big problem with putting him behind Vince Lombardi), and I really do have the utmost respect for Belichick. With that being said, it appears that his time in New England is coming to an end. He’s reaching the age where any coach has to start considering retirement. How many more years can we really expect him to coach? I’d say five at the most.
Add this to the fact that many in the locker room have turned against him. Since the Malcolm Butler decision in the Super Bowl, players have been subtly calling out Belichick through Instagram and with “anonymous” reports. Now we have Josh McDaniels leaving the Colts at the altar and staying in New England, most likely because he’s received assurances from the organization that he’s the next guy regardless of what goes down with Bill.
All of this begs the question: is it time for the Patriots to move on from Bill Belichick? The answer might be yes, but only if the Pats get a great deal (which I think they can).
Coaches have been traded before; the most famous example is Jon Gruden going from the Raiders to the Buccaneers for two first rounders, two second rounders, and cash. If Gruden garners that much, certainly Belichick is worth even more, right?
Let’s assume the worst case scenario and say that the Patriots could only get what the Raiders got for Gruden. Think about what two firsts and two seconds could do for this team. First of all, it’d help rebuild a defense that has been neglected by the alleged defensive wizard Bill Belichick. This boost would help the Patriots both win now in Brady’s final years as well as give the next QB a damn good team. Speaking of the next QB, one of those four picks would almost certainly result in a quarterback, and if you trust the Patriots scouts (who picked out Jimmy G not so long ago), you should believe that they would make the right choice. Imagine for a second that the Browns made this deal and that the Patriots got the #1 overall pick and their choice of any quarterback in this deep draft.
Whether Belichick retires or is traded, he’s not going to be around for much longer. With Josh McDaniels here and the locker room revolting against Bill, it may be time to consider making a deal that could secure the future of the New England Patriots.
(Photo Courtesy of USA Today)
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