Robert Kraft hoped issues would finish in another way.
He’d spent the ultimate years of a dying dynasty patching collectively a fraying relationship between Tom Brady and Invoice Belichick, however in early 2020, it was throughout. Separate conversations along with his head coach and quarterback had stored the pair collectively lengthy sufficient to win a sixth Tremendous Bowl, a record-setting run. However either side wished a contemporary begin, so Kraft reluctantly watched Brady flee New England and win a Tremendous Bowl in his first 12 months with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Kraft had landed Belichick in 2000 following a one-day stint with the New York Jets. He was impressed by Belichick’s soccer prowess in 1996, when Belichick was an assistant below Invoice Parcells with the Patriots. Kraft knew Belichick wasn’t as jovial or charismatic as his former boss, however the proprietor cherished Belichick’s ardour for the sport and information of it.
Their time collectively delivered unparalleled success. That’s why Kraft was content material to stay with Belichick in 2020 as Brady went to the Bucs.
He knew the group was going to reset with Cam Newton at quarterback. He was excited the next 12 months when Belichick drafted Mac Jones with the No. 15 choose, then watched as Jones’ rookie season ended with 10 wins and a playoff berth.
He thought the franchise was on an upward trajectory, a fast turnaround after watching the best quarterback go away. He thought Belichick had figured issues out post-Brady and would stay the group’s coach till he selected to retire. Perhaps it will come after Belichick broke Don Shula’s all-time wins file, or possibly it will come a number of years later. It appeared Belichick would have the Patriots job for so long as he wished.
However since then, the Patriots have fallen aside.
That’s why on Thursday, Kraft made arguably the most important determination in his 30 years of proudly owning the group, deciding to separate with Belichick after a 4-13 season. Since Brady left, the Patriots are 29-38, a spiraling group that’s been with out course in recent times.
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Kraft and Belichick met in latest days to debate how they wished to proceed. That they had cordial {and professional} conversations, however they left the 2 males below the identical impression. Change was wanted. Belichick, 71, will get to reset and discover a new touchdown spot to chase Shula’s file, needing 15 extra wins to surpass him. Kraft, 82, now seeks a brand new coach to usher the Patriots into a brand new period with eyes on modernizing the franchise and welcoming extra collaboration.
Even when it ended amid a downturn, Belichick exits as probably the most profitable head coach in NFL historical past, a winner of six Tremendous Bowls and proprietor of a 333-178 file (together with the playoffs) over 24 seasons with the Patriots, a run of dominance which will by no means be matched. Someday, there’ll in all probability be a statue of the coach exterior Gillette Stadium and a shrine to him inside it.
However for now, the Patriots are left to grapple with the truth of in the present day, that they’ve simply parted with the perfect coach of all time. The Athletic spoke with a number of group and league sources to piece collectively the way it acquired to the purpose the place Kraft and the Patriots felt their finest plan of action was to finish some of the profitable teaching tenures in professional sports activities historical past.
Kraft and Belichick by no means had a rosy relationship, however they complemented one another effectively. Kraft is an extrovert, a individuals pleaser who enjoys chatting with everybody within the room. Belichick is the alternative. Kraft usually balanced out Belichick, somebody who may present a pick-me-up to gamers and workers throughout the hardest days working for Belichick. That included the best quarterback of all time.
Throughout his ultimate years in New England, Brady was sick of being antagonized by his head coach. Belichick was fast to critique Brady, usually doing so in entrance of your complete group. That’s a part of how he acquired a lot success out of Brady, who was at his finest when he performed with a chip on his shoulder. That relationship yielded three MVP awards and 9 Tremendous Bowl appearances.
However day after day, month after month, 12 months after 12 months, that lack of recognition wore on Brady, who vented to Kraft. At one level in his ultimate season with the Patriots, Brady bemoaned that he was, “probably the most depressing 8-0 quarterback in league historical past.”
However the relationship between Kraft and Belichick wasn’t at all times constructive both. Like he did with many individuals, in keeping with a group supply, Belichick would stroll previous Kraft within the halls of Gillette Stadium with out saying a phrase. They solely chatted when obligatory for work causes. Belichick appeared to exit of his solution to needle his boss.
In March, Kraft unveiled a $25 million marketing campaign to battle antisemitism known as “Stand Up To Jewish Hate.” He did so whereas on the league conferences in Arizona. He handed out little blue sq. lapels to lift consciousness. A number of distinguished individuals inside the NFL wore them. Earlier than a 30-minute sitdown with reporters, Belichick was handed one of many squares. He positioned it on the backside of his button-down shirt the place it couldn’t be seen by cameras.
Through the interview, Belichick was lobbed a softball query concerning the pin he was sporting. “It’s Mr. Kraft’s initiative,” he mentioned, a four-word response to a query that would’ve simply led to a praise about what his boss was doing away from soccer. When requested a follow-up query, Belichick solely mentioned, “I help it.”
In accordance with a number of group and league sources, Belichick felt Kraft didn’t present him sufficient gratitude and supplied veiled photographs concerning the group’s dated facility, whereas seldom mentioning Patriots possession by identify. Kraft, in the meantime, felt he had given Belichick all the things he had requested for, together with full management over the roster, limitless spending energy and probably the most profitable teaching contract in NFL historical past — however Belichick supplied no public appreciation in return.
Patriots proprietor Robert Kraft greets coach Invoice Belichick earlier than the beginning of a 2020 sport. (David Butler II / USA At the moment)
Kraft anticipated the Pats to be aggressive after two seasons of decrease expectations post-Brady. However 2022 was a multitude. Belichick trusted his offense with a former defensive coordinator (Matt Patricia) and former particular groups coordinator (Joe Choose). The outcome was predictable. Jones and the Patriots offense regressed throughout the board, the most important offender for his or her 8-9 file, which noticed them miss the playoffs.
After the season, Kraft made his frustration identified. He confused publicly that he wished the Patriots to be again within the playoffs and again to competing for division and convention titles.
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Belichick acquired the message. He employed a brand new and bonafide offensive coordinator in Invoice O’Brien and molded the protection as he noticed match, utilizing his prime three draft picks on that aspect of the ball. He figured he’d zig whereas the remainder of the league zagged, selecting to concentrate on stopping the run and particular groups in a league that emphasised the passing sport.
That’s why Belichick allotted so few sources to the offense whereas dedicating seven full-time gamers to particular groups. The primary offensive participant he drafted final spring was a guard with the 107th choose who performed 13 offensive snaps this season. The one significant free-agent signing on that aspect of the ball was vast receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, a veteran slot receiver who got here with damage issues. Smith-Schuster struggled from the very begin of coaching camp. After posting solely 260 receiving yards in 11 video games within the first 12 months of a contract that noticed him earn $16 million assured, he’ll go down as one in every of Belichick’s greatest whiffs.
Maybe most maddening was that Belichick had a number of probabilities to enhance the offense. The Patriots hosted free-agent receiver DeAndre Hopkins for a go to in June. However Belichick didn’t provide Hopkins the $13 million per season the Titans did, so Hopkins went to Tennessee and posted one other 1,000-yard season. In the meantime, no Patriots receiver has reached 1,000 yards since Julian Edelman in 2019.
Belichick didn’t assume Hopkins was well worth the cash. He knew the Patriots’ offensive roster wasn’t pretty much as good as some others across the league, however he thought his group may keep away from errors, play a basically sound sport and win on the margins. Maybe all of that may be sufficient to compete for a division title. As an alternative, Belichick failed in each his roster building and in his evaluation of whether or not his teaching may make up for the group’s deficiencies.
The way in which the New England protection performed down the stretch of a misplaced season confirmed Belichick can nonetheless coach. He has an unequalled information of the sport, and his defensive sport plans, even in a horrible 2023 season, proceed to thwart opposing offenses.
However Belichick lengthy thought he may win with merely common quarterback play, even after working with Brady for thus lengthy. If the QB prevented main errors, Belichick figured the group could be ok on protection and particular groups to contend. However Belichick’s costliest blunder got here on the sport’s most necessary place.
After a powerful rookie marketing campaign from Jones that noticed him earn a Professional Bowl nod, Belichick needed to make some modifications following offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ departure to Las Vegas. Belichick made Choose the quarterbacks coach however used Patrcia as the first offensive play caller.
Below their tutelage, Jones fell aside. His confidence took a success as his numbers dipped, dropping from 7.3 yards per try and 22 touchdowns in 2021 to six.8 yards per try and simply 14 touchdowns in 2022. He was pissed off with the teaching he was getting and sought exterior opinions, one thing that angered Belichick.
Within the offseason, Belichick wasn’t prepared to bury the hatchet. As an alternative of build up his younger quarterback for a bounceback, the coach went out of his solution to keep away from any constructive remarks about Jones. Belichick was upset that, in his eyes, Jones had disrespected his teaching that 12 months by searching for opinions from exterior the constructing and complaining overtly on the sphere.
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So Belichick didn’t decide to him publicly. He let Jones’ prime vast receiver, Jakobi Meyers, go away in free company so he may signal Smith-Schuster. When requested particularly in March if Jones was the beginning quarterback, Belichick solely mentioned, “Everyone will get an opportunity to play.”
The transfer confused many inside the constructing. They’d used a first-round choose on Jones. Then, simply two years later, Belichick couldn’t be bothered to verify Jones was the quarterback?
As an alternative of motivating Jones, the transfer knocked the arrogance of an already-shaken quarterback. Coupled with a shaky offensive line and vast receivers who struggled to create separation, Jones was a multitude. His mechanics fell aside. He didn’t belief his reads and he panicked below stress. He completed 2023 with 6.1 yards per try, 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions and now appears more likely to head elsewhere this offseason, a exceptional downfall from the promise of his rookie season.
Belichick’s 2022 appointment of Matt Patricia, second from left, because the Patriots’ offensive play caller negatively impacted quarterback Mac Jones. (Eric Canha / USA At the moment)
The partitions main into the soccer division at Gillette Stadium are adorned with pictures of the foremost moments from the franchise’s 64-year existence. There’s John Hannah and Steve Grogan from the early days, Andre Tippett from the Eighties and all the foremost figures from this century: Tom Brady, Ty Legislation, Richard Seymour, Rodney Harrison, Vince Wilfork, Mike Vrabel, Julian Edelman and on and on.
However one notable participant is lacking: Wes Welker.
With the Patriots, Welker turned top-of-the-line receivers within the NFL, main the league in receptions thrice. He’s the franchise’s all-time chief in receptions and ranks third in receiving yards.
However Welker left the Patriots amid a contract dispute in 2013 to go to the AFC-rival Denver Broncos. He didn’t really feel appreciated by Belichick. The coach, in flip, felt Welker ought to’ve proven extra deference to the group that turned him right into a star and accepted the decrease contract affords the Patriots made.
The 2 have but to fix fences. Welker is now the vast receivers coach for the division-rival Miami Dolphins. When the Patriots wanted an offensive coordinator final 12 months, Welker wasn’t thought-about. Welker was again in Foxboro in September for a Week 2 sport towards the Patriots. Throughout warmups, Welker and Belichick had been on the sphere on the similar time. They prevented eye contact.
The way in which Belichick has visibly scrubbed Welker from Patriots historical past helps clarify why there may be concern inside the group of crossing the top coach. Belichick is sluggish to belief and holds grudges. It’s a part of why many imagine Belichick will search one other teaching job: so he can chase Don Shula’s all-time teaching wins file after Shula mentioned the Patriots’ 2007 Spygate controversy “diminished” what they completed.
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Below Belichick, only a few within the group had the sway to make even small solutions to the top coach. Scouts spent years attending to know prospects however had been shortly overruled by Belichick as soon as he started his draft prep.
It’s additionally a part of why Belichick stored his teaching workers so small. He employed solely eight assistant coaches on offense this season, the fewest within the league. That was particularly problematic this season when two coaches left midseason — offensive line coach Adrian Klemm as a result of a well being matter and vast receivers coach Ross Douglas for a similar job at Syracuse.
A lot of Belichick’s most trusted advisors additionally left or retired in recent times. McDaniels, Brian Flores, Dante Scarnecchia, Ivan Fears, Ernie Adams, Nick Caserio, Dave Ziegler and Monti Ossenfort took with them 132 years of collective expertise with Belichick.
Between that and the organizational construction — with Belichick answerable for all soccer issues — there have been only a few within the constructing able to pushing again on him. An already reclusive coach turned much more siloed. For therefore lengthy, Belichick didn’t want a lot pushback. He was virtually at all times proper, and when he wasn’t, Brady coated up the warts. However with out Brady, Belichick’s missteps had been amplified.
He additionally struggled to narrate to the younger gamers becoming a member of the group. Belichick is notoriously faint with reward. He grew up in a navy setting and provides orders, not explanations. Recognition comes through a paycheck, not a shout-out or a pat on the again. It additionally didn’t assist that with every passing 12 months, there have been fewer connections within the locker room to the Tremendous Bowl-winning groups, which meant fewer gamers to vouch for the truth that all of the powerful moments with Belichick could be price it.
Belichick watches from the sideline throughout a 6-0 house loss to the Chargers on Dec. 3. (David Butler II / USA At the moment)
That management type has flown within the face of what NFL homeowners have sought in recent times. The 49ers, Chiefs, Bengals and Rams, for instance, have all promoted collaboration, with gamers usually working with coaches fairly than for them.
Most contained in the Patriots group imagine the sport has not handed Belichick by. He nonetheless is aware of the best way to coach, nonetheless loves to show and nonetheless is aware of the best way to construct a sport plan in addition to anybody. It’s that the organizational construction, his roster building and his management strategies are outdated and have allowed the remainder of the league to overhaul the Patriots. Belichick was at all times prepared to vary on the soccer area, attempting completely different schemes and types. However he hasn’t modified who he’s or how he features.
Belichick first arrived in New England 25 years in the past, contemporary off a resignation from the Jets he scrawled on a serviette. It’ll go down as the perfect determination Kraft ever made.
If all goes as Kraft hopes, Belichick will return within the coming years for celebrations of the greatness over which he presided. However Kraft couldn’t keep away from the downward spiral the Patriots have been on since getting blown out 47-14 within the wild-card spherical of the 2021 playoffs. They’re 12-22 since then. They completed the 2023 season ranked tied for final in factors scored.
Kraft as soon as hoped Belichick would discover sufficient success within the post-Brady years that he’d persist with the Patriots till he wished to hold up the whistle, content material then to retire to his compound on Nantucket.
However the Patriots have collapsed into one of many worst groups within the NFL. Kraft determined he may not wait round and let Belichick hold his job as a lifetime achievement award.
The Patriots, Kraft determined, are so badly in want of a contemporary begin and a brand new voice that it’s price saying goodbye to the most efficient coach in league historical past.
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(Illustration: John Bradford / The Athletic; pictures: Winslow Townson, Maddie Meyer and Elsa / Getty Pictures)
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