Patriots 'could fire Bill Belichick next week' if certain conditions met
Bill Belichick’s future as the head coach of the New England Patriots is seemingly in doubt heading into Week 10.
The Patriots stand at 2-7 in the 2023 NFL regular season following the 20-17 loss to the Washington Commanders on Sunday. It’s the first time that the Patriots have won only two games out of nine since Belichick’s first season back in 2000.
Belichick’s position as head coach and de facto general manager has been the subject of speculation throughout the majority of the season. However, those rumours quietened down somewhat when news emerged that he signed a new contract during the off-season.
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The news first emerged on October 22 that Belichick had recently put pen to paper on a new long-term deal at Gillette Stadium. At the time the news emerged the Patriots stood at 1-5 and went on to beat the Buffalo Bills on the same day.
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However, the past two games have resulted in losses to the Miami Dolphins and the Commanders. A report from the Boston Globe has claimed that Belichick’s future in New England is far from certain.
According to the report - which was published prior to the loss to Washington - Belichick is “not 100 percent” certain to finish the season in charge of the Patriots, should the team lose to the Commanders and the Indianapolis Colts in Week 10.
The Patriots head to Germany to face the Colts in their next game this Sunday. It’s been claimed in the report that, should New England lose to Indianapolis, the franchise’s owner, Robert Kraft, could remove Belichick from his post heading into the bye week.
In this situation, where the Patriots would stand at 2-8, it has been reported that the Patriots would then appoint linebacker coach Jerod Mayo as interim head coach. New England faces the Colts at Deutsche Bank Park on Sunday, the home of Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt.
Belichick was asked about his future with the Patriots on Monday when he spoke to reporters at a press conference. The 71-year-old was questioned about whether a defeat to Indianapolis would spell the end of his time as head coach of the franchise.
“I'm going to control what I can control and get ready for the Colts,” said Belichick, via the Patriots team website. When asked further if the Patriots ownership had spoken to him to reassure him of his position as head coach, Belichick replied: “Yeah, my focus is on getting ready for the Colts.”
After travelling to Germany, the Patriots have a bye week during Week 11 of the regular season. The team will regroup for Week 12 against the New York Giants on November 26 in Foxborough.
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