19 October 2023 , 18:41
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New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has reportedly held private discussions about the possibility of letting coach Bill Belichick go, bringing an end to one of the greatest tenures in NFL history.
The 71-year-old’s men are struggling in 2023, having won just one of their six games played this season. The AFC East team suffered their third defeat in a row when the Las Vegas Raiders recorded a 21-17 victory on Sunday. This is the first time since 1995 that the franchise has begun a season with five losses in the first six games.
Furthermore, they are in danger of finishing last in the AFC East for the first time since 2000, which was Belichick’s first year as the Patriots' coach. The coach, who has a career winning percentage under .500 coach without Tom Brady, is now under pressure from fans and according to Sports Illustrated, Kraft seems to be looking to the future.
“These discussions have taken place,” senior NFL reporter Albert Breer said. “I can tell you for sure, Robert hears the criticism, he hears the anger locally and people in the building know for a fact that he’s hearing the anger from the fanbase. I think now we’re at the point where.. is this just going to be a flat out firing?”
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With the Patriots currently showing little signs of turning things around, one of his former players Tedy Bruschi thinks the end is near for Belichick in New England. “I think Bill Belichick is considering it, and I also think Robert Kraft is the one that has to start to consider is it time to move on,” the three-time Super Bowl winner said on an episode of ESPN’s “Get Up”.
“Right now, if they get a top-five [draft] pick, Mr. Kraft has to decide if Bill is the right one to take one of those three, four quarterbacks that you can possibly get, and if he wants to start over with Bill. That’s Mr. Kraft’s decision. That’s the owner’s responsibility.
"Bill always talks about doing your job and that is Mr. Kraft’s job to consider." As his future at the Patritos continues to be a huge talking point, Belichick must find a way to lift the morale of his players. They are the only team in the league that has failed to score more than 20 points in a game this season.
The New England Patriots are 1-5 after Week 6 of the 2023 NFL regular season (Chris Unger/Getty Images)The franchise needs to eradicate mistakes such as registering 10 penalties for 79 yards in the loss to the Raiders. Though things look bleak, running back Rhamondre Stevenson has called for his Patriots teammates to look beyond their poor record as they aim to defeat the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
"You have to love this game. You have to put your best foot forward every time you get the opportunity to step on the field," he said. "So I would just say it just starts within, and just being your own leader, and following the guys that do it well. And just on to the next play, on to the next day, and just keep their head up and just stay working hard."