‘There’s nothing I can do about it’: Bill Belichick offered his thoughts on the 3-10 Patriots
Belichick said that his former team hasn't "done enough to win very many games on any level."
Bill Belichick weighed in on the state of the Patriots: In the wake of yet another tough, one-score loss, Patriots fans have been left to wonder an inevitable question: How would this be different if Bill Belichick was still the head coach?
Granted, numerous decisions — including potentially the one to select Drake Maye in the first round of the 2024 draft — might have gone differently with Belichick. This clearly would’ve changed the entire dynamic of the current season, making it impossible to fully compare a Belichick vs. Jerod Mayo team.
Yet when asked about his successor’s iteration of the Patriots, Belichick offered a blunt assessment. Speaking on the “Let’s Go!” podcast episode that was released on Monday, he responded to co-host Jim Gray’s question about New England having only three wins (with a 3-10 record).
“Yeah, [the Patriots] just haven’t done enough to win very many games on any level,” Belichick said. “They’ve had trouble on defense. One of the last ranked teams on offense, if not the bottom ranked. Missed some key field goals and some kicking plays as well. So I’d say all three areas of the game just haven’t been good enough to win.
“And they still got a couple games left against Buffalo, right?” he continued. “They have a bye week this week, so maybe they can get a few things straightened out, but it’s just been a pretty inconsistent year. Just haven’t been able to do enough to win when they needed to.”
Gray followed up, asking if Belichick felt bad for players on the current team given many of them have direct ties to the previous coaching staff.
“A lot of these guys played for you. Do you feel for them in this situation?” asked Gray. “Or have you just moved on in your head?”
“No, there are a lot of people there that, you know, [are] very close to,” Belichick replied. “A lot of them that I brought there, especially defensively. Almost all those players are re-signed and most all the offensive skill players, too. So it’s hard to see them going through that type of a season.
“There’s nothing I can do about it, I mean, just sit back and watch it,” he added. “But, of course, yeah, I feel bad for a lot of those guys, especially the defensive players. I know those guys work hard. They’re tough and they care and they put a lot into it. But it’s the National Football League. It’s very competitive. You’ve got to find a way to stand up to the competition and that’s a challenge for every team.”
Trivia: After Bill Belichick, what Patriots coach has the most career wins with the team since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger?
(Answer at the bottom).
Hint: Was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a player.
Scores and schedules:
The Celtics defeated the Heat 108-89 on Monday. Jaylen Brown led Boston with 29 points.
The Bruins host the Red Wings tonight at 7 p.m.
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On this day: In 2007, the Patriots prolonged the perfect season thanks to a dramatic escape from Baltimore. In a game that had some wild circumstances — including noted Bill Belichick hater Don Shula actively rooting against New England while making a cameo in the ESPN press box — the Patriots emerged with a 27-24 win.
Daily highlight: Timberwolves wing Terrance Shannon Jr. with the vicious dunk in a win over the Lakers.
Trivia answer: Raymond Berry
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