Bill Belichick is regarded as one of the greatest coaches in NFL history, having led the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl titles, nine AFC championships, and 17 division titles in his 22-year tenure. Belichick has also earned the respect and admiration of his peers, players, and fans for his brilliant game plans, innovative schemes, and relentless work ethic. However, after a disappointing 2020 season that saw the Patriots miss the playoffs for the first time since 2008 and a turbulent 2021 offseason that saw several key players depart or retire, some wonder if Belichick’s glorious reign is approaching an ugly conclusion.
The main reason for the Patriots’ decline is the departure of their franchise quarterback and Belichick’s longtime partner, Tom Brady, who left the team in free agency in March 2020 to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Brady, who won six Super Bowls, four Super Bowl MVPs, and three NFL MVPs with the Patriots, proved he could still play at an elite level at age 43, leading the Buccaneers to their second Super Bowl title in franchise history in February 2021. Brady also showed that he could thrive in a different system and culture, under another coach and with other teammates, while having more fun and freedom than he had with the Patriots.
The contrast between Brady’s success and the Patriots’ struggles was stark and painful for many Patriots fans, who had to watch their former hero win another ring while their team finished with a 7-9 record, their worst since 2000. The Patriots also had to deal with several challenges and setbacks, such as a league-high eight opt-outs due to COVID-19 concerns, including star linebacker Dont’a Hightower and safety Patrick Chung; a lack of offensive weapons and depth; a subpar performance by Cam Newton, who replaced Brady as the starting quarterback; and several close losses and blown leads.
The Patriots’ woes continued in the 2021 offseason, losing several key players to free agency or retirements, such as guard Joe Thuney, center David Andrews, wide receiver Julian Edelman, safety Devin McCourty, and cornerback Stephon Gilmore. The Patriots also traded away veteran offensive tackle Marcus Cannon to the Houston Texans. The Patriots did make some big moves in free agency, signing tight ends Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry, wide receivers Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne, linebacker Matthew Judon and defensive back Jalen Mills. However, some analysts have questioned whether these signings were worth the hefty price tags and whether they would fit into Belichick’s system and culture.
The most significant question mark for the Patriots is their quarterback situation. The Patriots drafted Mac Jones with the 15th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, hoping he could be their future quarterback. Jones impressed many observers with his accuracy, intelligence, and poise during training camp and preseason games. However, he is still a rookie who has to learn the complexities of Belichick’s offense and adjust to the speed and physicality of the NFL. The Patriots also re-signed Newton to a one-year deal, giving him another chance to prove himself after a disappointing 2020 season. However, Newton has been inconsistent and erratic in his play and has been involved in some controversies off the field. For instance, he was fined $14,650 by the NFL for violating COVID-19 protocols by attending an unauthorized event in October 2020. He also missed five days of practice in August 2021 due to a “misunderstanding” regarding COVID-19 tests.
Belichick has not announced who will be his starting quarterback for the 2021 season opener against the Miami Dolphins on September 12. He has said that Newton and Jones have performed well in camp and preseason games and that he will decide based on what is best for the team. However, some reports have suggested that Belichick prefers Jones over Newton, while others have claimed that Newton has the edge over Jones. The decision will significantly impact the Patriots’ chances of returning to contention in 2021.
Belichick’s glorious reign with the Patriots is not over yet. He still has plenty of experience, knowledge, and respect in the NFL, and he still has some talented and loyal players on his roster, such as running back Damien Harris, wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, linebacker Kyle Van Noy, and defensive end Chase Winovich. He also has a promising young quarterback in Jones, who could develop into a star under his guidance. However, Belichick faces severe challenges and obstacles in his quest to restore the Patriots’ dynasty. He has to compete with some formidable foes in his division, such as the Buffalo Bills, who won the AFC East title last season behind Josh Allen’s MVP-caliber performance, and the Miami Dolphins, who have a rising star in Tua Tagovailoa and a savvy coach in Brian Flores, who used to work under Belichick. He also has to contend with some powerful rivals in the AFC, such as the Kansas City Chiefs, who have won the AFC title for two straight seasons behind Patrick Mahomes’ brilliance, and the Baltimore Ravens, who have a dynamic dual-threat quarterback in Lamar Jackson and a stout defense. He also has to deal with the possibility of facing Brady and the Buccaneers again in the Super Bowl, or even worse, in Week 4 of the regular season, when the Patriots host the Buccaneers at Gillette Stadium in what will be one of the most anticipated and emotional games in NFL history.
Belichick’s glorious reign with the Patriots is not over yet, but it is approaching a critical juncture. He has to prove that he can still win without Brady and that he can still adapt and innovate in a changing NFL landscape. He has to show that he can still motivate and inspire his players and that he can still outsmart and outcoach his opponents. He has to demonstrate that he can still lead the Patriots to glory and that he can still add to his legacy as one of the greatest coaches of all time.
