Bill Belichick doesn’t talk about his contract. Period.
Until he does.
Belichick is the greatest of all time at talking about things on his terms. He’s in a class of his own as far as how he handles press conferences and tough questions, and that’s his prerogative. But historically, and as soon as this past season, he swatted away questions about his contract as forcefully as any.
On Monday morning, after the Patriots’ season ended with a thud in a loss to the Jets that dropped them to 4-13, Belichick decided to break his own rule.
Bill Belichick mentioned his contract during his Monday morning press conference, in a departure from his usual norm. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
“I’m under contract, do what I always do, which is every day I come in and work as hard as I can to help the team in whatever way I can,” Belichick said, as part of his opening remarks in his Monday video conference. “So, that’s what I’m going to continue to do.”
Belichick merely slipping in the fact that he’s under contract was a sharp departure from the norm. This past October, reports emerged that Belichick was in fact under contract for 2024 and possibly beyond. But when asked about the contract news after the Patriots beat the Bills that same day, Belichick replied: “I never talk about my contract. I focus on the game and try to focus on Buffalo. Now I’ll focus on Miami. Yeah, you can count on that.”
Clearly, Belichick just broke one of his golden rules. The question is: why?
Truth Or Dare
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 07: New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick speaks during a press conference after a game against the New York Jets at Gillette Stadium on January 07, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
On the surface, it seems like Belichick is daring Patriots owner Robert Kraft to fire him. Kraft certainly won’t do that. He at least wouldn’t present it that way publicly. Kraft definitely prefers a mutual parting of ways.
But Belichick doesn’t sound particularly interested in leaving, and for good reason. So, Kraft can put out a press release or leak to Adam Schefter that it’s a parting of the ways, but Belichick doesn’t seem like he would cooperate with that.
Interest King
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – DECEMBER 17: New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and Head Coach Bill Belichick look on from the sideline before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Gillette Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
On the other hand, there’s a way that Belichick declaring his contract status could help the Patriots. It could start Kraft down the road of facilitating a trade.
According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Atlanta Falcons are interested in Belichick if he’s available, after firing Arthur Smith as head coach. He’d be on the list of candidates for the Chargers, too, according to Josina Anderson. Schefter wrote Saturday that Belichick “immediately would become one of the top available head coaches” and would “soon will be interviewing to become a head coach elsewhere.”
So, clearly, Belichick wants to keep coaching, and would have no shortage of suitors if the Patriots decided to move on. But if that means that Kraft can swing a trade – and if the widespread interest is real, it could fetch him a legitimate return – then that would be a good thing for New England.
The Future
Jan 21, 2018; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft (left) hugs head coach Bill Belichick(right) after the AFC Championship Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Whatever the reason for Belichick talking openly about the fact that he’s under contract, it was striking, because most of the time he would smite you with a lightning strike if he could for even daring to broach the topic.
Belichick is expected to meet with Kraft on Monday, and likely beyond, to discuss his future. You can be sure that his contract will be at the center of those discussions.
