For many years, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots were the NFL’s reigning dynasty, as they seemed to lord over everyone else in the league for the better part of two decades.
With Tom Brady throwing darts down the field and Belichick stalking the sideline with his trademark glower, they seemed to have a regal glow, and even after Brady left following the 2019 season, some figured they wouldn’t have that much trouble rebuilding.
But this season, the Patriots find themselves with a 1-5 record, and Mac Jones, their current starting quarterback, is struggling mightily. While one’s first instinct may be to blame Jones, many are pointing the finger at a previously improbable figure — Belichick.
Some are now speculating that the team’s coach may leave at the end of the season or that he could even get fired. Rob Gronkowski, the star tight end who spent most of his career with Belichick and the Patriots, seemed to imply that perhaps something could happen to Belichick if he doesn’t turn things around.
“Yes, it’s a rough start, but you gotta see how they keep improving, you gotta see how it continues, and if it improves, great, he’ll be there, I feel like,” said Gronkowski. “But if the domination of losing continues, and getting dominated in and out of games, then I think there’s gonna be something to happen. It’ll only be time to tell for the rest of the season, but I still think it’s too early to determine that”
However, he also said he feels his old coach will do better as the season goes on.
“I think he’s pretty safe as of right now, and I don’t see them getting blown out like that every game,” Gronkowski said. “He’s gonna make those adjustments, they’re gonna be playing better, that’s for sure. I don’t see them continuing to get blown out like that, and I think they’re gonna make a pretty strong, at least decent, comeback and compete in games.”
New England has been struggling in many areas, but offense stands out the most. It ranks 27th in total yards and next to last in points scored, and it hasn’t gotten above the 20-point mark in any game so far this year.
After Jones made the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2021, many thought the team had found its QB of the future. But in six games this year, he has seven interceptions and just five touchdown passes, and he didn’t exactly take the league by storm last season either.
The Patriots will face a stiff test over the next two weeks. They will host the Buffalo Bills this weekend before heading to South Florida to take on the Miami Dolphins, who have the NFL’s top offense. It will be interesting to see if Bill Belichick can get things turned around.
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