Patriots: Tedy Bruschi Startling Statement Regarding Bill Belichick
However, the self-inflicted wounds that have doomed the New England Patriots throughout the 2023 NFL season reared their ugly heads in a 21-17 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday in their Week 6 road game.
It was particularly noticeable how the Patriots began and ended the game on Sunday.
After two penalties to open the Patriots’ first offensive drive, they were unable to complete it. Quickly, they were down 10-0 and at halftime, they were down 13-3. With 2:23 left, the Patriots regained possession at their 9-yard line after entering the contest with a touchdown in the fourth quarter that cut the Raiders’ advantage to 19-17. To gain the lead, they only required a field goal.
They had little chance of winning after two poor penalties and a safety. Former Patriots linebacker Tedy Bruschi offered a persuasive analysis of what these infractions reveal about head coach Bill Belichick‘s communication skills with his team.
Bruschi discussed the possibility that this should be Belichick’s final campaign in New England and the difficult choices that club owner Robert Kraft must make in the coming offseason.
If the season ended today, the Patriots would hold the No. 6 overall choice in the 2024 NFL Draft after going 1-5 for the first time since 1995. Due largely to Belichick’s bad free agency and draft pick selections, the squad has significant vulnerabilities on both sides of the ball.
It wouldn’t be surprising if the Patriots and Belichick split ways in the summer if the losing keeps up. The organization might benefit more from a new beginning.
Whether Belichick tries to coach somewhere else or simply retires would be the greatest unknown in that scenario. Only 18 victories separate Belichick from Don Shula’s record, and if he joins the proper team, it could only take him two years to accomplish that feat.
