Is Bill Belichick On The Hot Seat This Season?
Is it crazy to say Bill Belichick is under a lot of pressure this season?
The biggest inditement to the hall of fame coaching career of Coach Belichick came when his former QB, Tom Brady, led the Bucs in his first season there to a Super Bowl victory while the Patriots saw their worst season (7-9) in two decades. It was their first time missing the playoffs since 2008 and all the talk of it was Tom all along became hotter than ever. So much that it led to some thinking that Bill was on the hot seat or at least warm.
And the talk is warranted rightfully so. Soon the captain of your ship for over a decade leaves for better surrounding talent, the team struggles to make the playoffs let alone win a division they dominated during Bill’s time there. And the keywords in that sentence is better talent as Bill the GM did not do a good job surrounding Brady with offensive weapons needed to get past the strong AFC teams.
Now it’s important to note that the Pats was the team most affected by COVID this past season. They had a league-high eight players opting out due to the virus including key players LB Dont'a Hightower, S Patrick Chung, and tackle Marcus Cannon. Also, their starting QB Cam Newton missed games due to getting the ‘Rona and struggled to get back in shape after coming back from the virus.
Not to mention we’re talking about a coach that has the most rings in NFL history so to say he is on the hot seat is probably overkill, but it's not overkilling to say he won’t be able to survive another season like 2020.
Bill has time to win another SB to make an answer back to Brady’s win, whether that’s with the Patriots or another organization. Since he is a coach he will certainly outlast Brady in the NFL…I think…thus giving him time to make his case. But it’s clear he feels the pressure this upcoming season after an unprecedented offseason for the GOAT coach.
The Pats ended up spending $159.6 million in guaranteed money in free agency, an NFL record and certainly, the most Belichick has ever spent at a time. You can say that Brady’s win and the media outlets proclaiming the fall of the Pats coach sparked this new side for the GM/head coach. Going big in FA especially on the first day was never Belichick’s thing but he did and continued throughout the period going after notable tight ends Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry, and wideouts Kendrick Bourne and Nelson Agholor for the offensive side, and LB Matthew Judon to help his defense out, as well as other players that filled holes on the team.
The most important question Belichick has yet to answer fully is the QB position which could make or break this upcoming season. He did resign Cam to another year but the former MVP struggled mightily this past season, in some ways costing the Pats wins. So if Cam isn’t the answer will Belichick look to the draft for his answer and possibly buy himself some time with a rookie QB. It’s been rumored that the Pats could move up in this year’s QB-riddled draft to find their future QB, maybe Trey Lance who is climbing mock draft boards, or Ohio St. star Justin Fields whom the Pats just sent out execs to see his second pro day. There is also the possibility of a Jimmy G reunion in New England still in play.
Belichick at Mac Jones Pro Day in Alabama
Whoever Belichick gets he has to hit on to appease owner Robert Kraft who might start looking at his GM/coach sideways for essentially pushing out Brady. And in my opinion, he needs a strong return this upcoming season to save face. What does that look like? A playoff berth needs to be made if Cam is the starter for next season as I don’t see the Pats starting a rookie QB out the gates.
The Pats have a favorable schedule, ranking 19th for the strength of schedule, and will see AFC and NFC South teams this season. That includes the Bucs, led by Brady, who will be making his return to New England in what will be an epic game for sports fans.
If Bill's Patriots struggle again and miss the playoffs, he'll soon find his way on the hot seat.
