Schefter Shoots Down Reports Of Belichick Possibly Leaving Patriots For Giants
Adam Schefter appeared on ESPN to aggressively shoot down another big rumor involving the Patriots. And this is something Patriots fans can really get behind: Schefter believes there’s almost no chance that head coach Bill Belichick would leave New England to coach the New York Giants after 2017.
Schefter’s new report comes after a story by Gary Myers of the New York Daily News, which says Belichick “sees an opening” to coach the Giants next season. New York, of course, is in the midst of a search for its next head coach. And Patriots coordinators Josh McDaniels and Matt Patricia already interviewed for the vacancy themselves.
But Belichick? Schefter, who certainly has extremely high sources with the Patriots (read: the Krafts and probably Belichick himself), isn’t buying it.
SEE ALSO: The 10 Most Sensationalized Details Of ESPN’s Patriots Story
Watch below as he runs through the lists of reasons why that won’t happen with ESPN’s Hannah Storm:
Adam Schefter: Patriots Insider
Among the reasons Schefter believes Belichick is staying put in New England:
— He has “time left on his contract”
— Even if he wanted to, the Patriots wouldn’t just let him go to New York
— He wouldn’t want to take over a rebuilding team that already has a GM
— The Giants have a very uncertain quarterback situation
Belichick’s contract details are not publicly known, but Schefter at least confirmed that it won’t run out after this season. He even burned Giants fans with “They can dream.”
MORE: Seth Wickersham On Patriots Story: ‘I Stand By My Reporting’
The speculation came after “a source close to Belichick” told Myers that he wouldn’t be surprised if the Patriots head coach bolted for the Giants with their current opening.
“I’m sure Bill knows this is his last chance to be the Giants coach,” said the source, who apparently hasn’t even spoken to Belichick since Wickersham’s story came out. “Bill sees an opening — an opening to get to the Giants.”
Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots looks on against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on Dec. 31, 2017. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
What does this all mean?
It’s pretty clear now that Schefter has spoken to his Patriots sources. Sources that are absolutely more credible than whoever gave Myers this speculative quote to run with for his story.
Not only did Schefter shoot down Myers’ report, he ostensibly dispelled the notion in Wickersham’s piece that 2017 could be the last season together for the Patriots’ triumvirate of Belichick, Robert Kraft, and Tom Brady. The detailed report, which dropped on Friday, is not entirely a work of fiction. But considering that Kraft and Brady are very unlikely to be anywhere but New England next season, the idea that this year’s turmoil will break up the band can pretty much be put to rest.
RELATED: Patriots Joint Statement On ESPN Story: ‘We Stand United’
Now you may be saying right now, “Wait, isn’t Adam Schefter the guy who said the Patriots weren’t trading Jimmy Garoppolo?” That’s correct, but that doesn’t mean he was wrong about that. He never said the Patriots are keeping Garoppolo for his whole career. The crux of his reporting was that the Patriots were keeping him for the start of the 2017 season. So technically he was right.
Who should we believe?
At the end of the day, Schefter is simply an impeccable reporter. He almost never gets anything wrong. And now it sounds like he’s going on another reporting crusade, this time for Belichick staying in New England. Which can’t possibly be favorable news for fans of the other 31 teams.
— By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.
