Bill Belichick did not mince words when discussing his worst season as an NFL head coach.
The long-time Patriots leader said during a Monday news conference that the team's performance during the 2023 NFL season, which it finished with a 4-13 record, was "not anywhere close to what our standards and expectations are."
"Obviously, things need to be fixed," Belichick told reporters.
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It seems like Belichick is willing to do whatever it takes to make that happen if he ends up staying with the Patriots. That might include relinquishing something over which he has had control for quite a while: football operations.
Bill Belichick press conference today
Belichick was asked whether he would be willing to cede control over the team's personnel. He acknowledged he would if the team believed that was the best path forward.
"Look, I'm for whatever we decide collectively as an organization is the best thing to help our football team," Belichick said. "I have multiple roles in that, and I rely on a lot of people to help me in those responsibilities. Somebody's got to have the final say. I have it. I rely on a lot of other people to help. Whatever that process is, I'm only part of it."
LIVE: Bill Belichick Press Conference 1/8: https://t.co/9bVtKSlkcj
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 8, 2024
Could that be enough to keep Belichick in New England? Perhaps, as it could provide an answer to the difficulties that the Patriots have had in building a competitive roster in recent seasons.
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Still, Belichick detailed that the two sides were working out a potential plan for next season.
"As far as any decisions or direction for next year, way too early for that," he explained.
That said, Belichick said that it may take "a series of meetings" with owner Robert Kraft to decide how each party wants to move forward. That will keep a pall of uncertainty over the 71-year-old's future.
Despite that, Belichick is planning to continue operating in his usual role until any potential changes are made.
"I'm under contract, so I'll do what I always do," he said.
