Coach Invoice Belichick’s potential last sport with the New England Patriots was one for the file books — in a means he received’t need to bear in mind.
The Patriots misplaced to the Jets 17-3 at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, ending New York’s 15-game dropping skid to New England. The Patriots recorded 119 yards of offense, marking the fewest of the Belichick period. The workforce’s earlier low was 149 towards the Miami Dolphins on Oct. 7, 2001.
Rumors abound — as they’ve for a lot of the autumn — that Belichick and the Patriots could half methods on the finish of the season. Solutions in regards to the franchise’s future are anticipated to come back following a sit-down with homeowners Robert and Jonathan Kraft and Belichick shortly after Sunday’s sport.
Requested about his future postgame, Belichick stated he’d solely discuss Sunday’s contest.
“Disenchanted in the way in which the sport completed,” Belichick stated when requested whether or not he thinks he’ll be again with the Patriots. Belichick added that he “nonetheless enjoys teaching.”
The workforce’s struggling offense traded off between quarterbacks Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe this fall earlier than selecting Zappe because the starter in late November. He went 12-of-30 with 88 yards, no touchdowns and two fourth-quarter interceptions towards a Jets workforce that’s had a dramatic season of quarterback points.
The Jets’ Trevor Siemian — beginning for Zach Wilson who was moved to injured reserve with a concussion Saturday — additionally didn’t throw a landing. He completed 8-of-20 with 70 throwing yards.
With Sunday’s loss, the Patriots completed the season at 4-13 and are final within the AFC East for the primary time since 2000, Belichick’s first 12 months on the job.
Belichick is likely one of the most profitable coaches in NFL historical past, constructing a dynasty with quarterback Tom Brady and successful 9 AFC championships and 6 Tremendous Bowls (2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016 and 2018). Beneath Belichick, the franchise has had a successful file in 20 of his 24 seasons.
Nonetheless, the connection between Brady and Belichick was fractured by the tip of the 2019 season, and Brady signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free company. The next season, Brady led the Bucs to a Tremendous Bowl title, the seventh of his storied profession.
Over the past 4 years, the Patriots, in the meantime, tried quarterbacks Cam Newton, Jones and Zappe as their offense slowly grew to become one of many league’s worst.
After arguably the most effective 20-year run in league historical past, the Patriots haven’t received a playoff sport because the 2018 Tremendous Bowl and have gone 30-37 since Brady left.
Invoice Belichick walks off the sector because the Patriots head coach for probably the ultimate time.
In typical Belichick vogue, there was no additional emotion, no wave to the followers, no grand exit. pic.twitter.com/0uMYlj7IQL
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) January 7, 2024
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What’s subsequent for Belichick?
All eyes flip to Belichick. He introduced extra success to 1 franchise than any coach ever. However the Patriots simply completed their worst season since 1992.
They’ve had a dropping file in three of the 4 years since Brady left, leaving Belichick’s future very a lot up within the air. He’s anticipated to satisfy with the Krafts on Monday to debate their path ahead, however at this level, a “mutual parting” of the way could be very a lot attainable — if not going. Belichick and Robert Kraft have had their variations for years, however now the success that smoothed over these tough patches has dried up.
The Patriots run their franchise far in another way from every other, a siloed group the place collaboration is usually discouraged in favor of no matter avenue Belichick appears match. What he’s chosen in recent times hasn’t labored. That would result in the Krafts wanting change and a extra fashionable strategy to the organizational construction. Information of Belichick’s future may come as early as Monday. — Chad Graff, Patriots workers author
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What’s subsequent for the Patriots?
It was a becoming finish to the season for the Patriots offense, which closes with the fewest factors scored of any workforce. Regardless of who the coach is, the Patriots want a significant overhaul on that aspect of the ball, together with (however not restricted to) a brand new quarterback, a number of new large receivers and at the very least one new offensive deal with. — Graff
The Jets, lastly, ended the skid of 15 straight video games misplaced to the Patriots and Belichick. The sport was meaningless within the grand scheme of issues — these had been two dangerous groups taking part in a sport that didn’t matter on the finish of disappointing seasons for each of them — however at the very least the Jets lastly received this monkey off their again. They did it on the again of operating again Breece Corridor.
The Jets star set a career-high with 37 carries for 178 yards and he surpassed 1,500 complete yards for the season together with his efficiency, the primary Jets operating again to do this since Thomas Jones in 2008. Probably the most spectacular half is that Corridor did it in his first 12 months post-ACL surgical procedure. Corridor clinched the win with a 50-yard landing run within the fourth quarter.
Now the Jets go into the offseason with plenty of questions — however Corridor isn’t one among them. Anticipate the Jets to construct their offense round his skills each as a runner and pass-catcher, and — if he stays wholesome — ought to have a shot at 2,000 yards with Aaron Rodgers subsequent 12 months. — Zack Rosenblatt, Jets workers author
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(Photograph: Winslow Townson / Getty Photographs)