The plane ride from Frankfurt, Germany, to Boston is just under seven and a half hours. That's a long journey for anyone, but especially for someone who could be coming home to a pink slip at work.
That is potentially the case for Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.
The Patriots faced the Colts in the final NFL international series contest in 2023, as Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt hosted the two for a Week 10 matchup. New England entered the game at a measly 2-7, coming off a loss to Washington last week, and owning the worst record in the AFC.
New England was unable to come up with a win, as Belichick's crew lost an ugly 10-6 decision to Indianapolis, dropping its record to 2-8. It's far and away the lowest point in the Belichick era, and could come with serious ramifications.
There have been plenty of rumors and reports about Belichick's job security with the team. The post-Tom Brady era has not gone particularly well in recent years, and the longtime head coach could be seeing his time in New England ending shortly as well.
MORE: Colts defeat Patriots in ugly Germany game to end 2023 NFL international series
In fact, there are reports that the result of the game against the Colts on Sunday could be the final factor in a decision on Belichick's future with the organization. Here are the latest rumors Belichick and the Patriots:
Will the Patriots fire Bill Belichick?
Belichick's seat as a head coach has been hot for a majority of the season, but it could finally reach a boiling point in Germany.
The Boston Globe's Ben Volin, reported last week that if New England lost to Indianapolis on Sunday, that could be the final straw for Robert Kraft. Before the Week 9 loss to Washington, Volin reported that consecutive defeats to the Commanders and Colts could result in the Patriots parting ways with the longtime head coach in order to give linebackers coach Jerod Mayo a seven-game trial run as coach of the future.
Mayo's name has been tied to a number of head coaching jobs, but none more notable than the Patriots. The former New England star linebacker has been working under Belichick since 2019, and many around the league assume he is being groomed to be Belichick's replacement.
Not all of the reports line up with Volin's timeline for a chance. The Athletic's Diana Russini reported this week that while there could be a shake-up in Foxborough, it likely won't come until after the season.
"I don’t expect anything to be determined with so much season remaining," Russini said. "But if people I talk to had to bet, their money is on a mutual parting of the ways at the end of the season."
While some feel a change in-season won't happen, this would be the week to make one. The Patriots are on a bye in Week 11, and it would give Mayo or whoever gets tabbed with the interim title at least more time to prepare before getting back onto the field for game day.
Asked after the Colts lost about reports around his job security, Belichick told reporters: “I just go out and do the best I can every day.”
Bill Belichick, asked about Robert Kraft’s pregame comments calling this a disappointing season:
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) November 12, 2023
“I think we all feel that way. We’re all disappointed in the season.”
MORE: What is Bill Belichick's record without Tom Brady?
Bill Belichick contract
Belichick's contract situation was a big reason there was speculation heading into this season about a potential breakup. The six-time Super Bowl champion was in the final year of his deal and had not signed an extension.
Or so we thought. Earlier this season, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Belichick and the Patriots had "quietly agreed" to a contract extension before the 2023 season. The terms "lucrative" and "long-term" were used to describe the deal, although the specifics of the agreement were not reported.
How old is Bill Belichick?
Belichick is 71 years old. He is the second-oldest head coach in the NFL, behind only the Seahawks' Pete Carroll.
