Is he going or can he stay? The New England Patriots and their head coach Bill Belichick currently have to make this difficult decision

While several head coaches had to resign on Black Monday, the New England Patriots were apparently meeting at the same time according to media reports.

Owner Robert Kraft and coach Bill Belichick put their heads together to discuss how the fallen giants could be put back on track after a disastrous season, which ended with a 4-13 record and last place in the AFC East.

While rumors have been swirling for months that Belichick would have to step down as the Pats’ main man after 24 seasons, no decision has been made about his future, at least not officially.

“I’m under contract,” said Belichick after the clear defeat against the New York Jets at the end of the regular season in his usual taciturn manner.

Belichick doesn’t show his cards

“I’m going to do what I always do, which is come in every day and work as hard as I can to help the team wherever I can. That’s what I will continue to do. It’s far too early to make any decisions or set the direction of the team for next year,” the 71-year-old continued.

It was reported back in October that Belichick had signed a multi-year contract with the Patriots, although the salary and length are unknown, and that he would be tied to the team for at least the 2024 season.

However, Belichick has never given even a hint of such information to the public during his more than two decades with the Patriots, which “CBS” also sees as a telling sign of where he currently stands.

The coaching legend added that it’s been a “disappointing season” overall and that “obviously things need to be fixed. “

Patriots: Belichick to be coach only in the future?

It is no longer a secret that there will be far-reaching changes in New England – whether with or without Belichick.

As the report goes on to say, a big talking point is that the Patriots could take away Belichick’s control of the personnel department. He has been New England’s de facto coach and general manager for a long time.

In view of the serious crisis facing the franchise, which actually wanted to make positive headlines, not just for the new market, in view of its first game on German soil a few months ago, a paradigm shift seems almost inevitable.

If boss Kraft wanted to keep Belichick on as head coach, one obvious option would be to reduce his role in personnel planning and the front office and have him focus solely on coaching.

After all, Belichick’s decisions in free agency and in the draft in recent years have sometimes led the team to exactly where it is right now or where it has been passed on and on.

How a long unsuccessful team under the guidance of a capable GM, who skillfully puts together the roster and doesn’t just pick up rows of studs with high picks in the draft, is currently demonstrated by a long-time face of the Patriots in a form like no other: Nick Caserio with the Houston Texans.

Is Josh McDaniels coming back to the Patriots?

It is possible that the coaching legend could soon have one of his closest confidants at his side again for the new turnaround in Foxborough.

As reported by “The Athletic”, there could be a reunion with former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

The 47-year-old, who worked with Belichick for a total of 19 years over two seasons, was fired as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders in October.

McDaniels won six Super Bowls as an assistant coach with the Patriots and the offense fell off a cliff – to put it figuratively – after his departure.