Putting Me Out Of My Pigskin Misery

Look. Just beat the Jets.

Don't take that away from me, too.

For those who care about these things, I'm not sure we learned anything we didn't know from the Patriots latest loss. 

Bailey Zappe is not the QB of the Future in Foxborough (unless that future occurs in an alternate universe). I briefly wondered if Belichick would bench Zappe after his spot on Mac Jones impression in the first half last Sunday and then I remembered Belichick would have to replace Zappe with McCorkle and that was never going to happen. At this point, Jones is only on the sideline for the purposes of public humiliation. If Zappe got hurt and couldn't continue to play I think Belichick would go straight Wildcat for the rest of the game rather than put Mr. Jones back on the field. 

As for Robert Kraft's decision on Bill Belichick's future as HC of the NEP, it looks more and more like a lose-lose. 

Keeping Belichick would sign off on the 2023 season as acceptable; a season that was the franchise's worst since 1990, that failed to meet Kraft's own stated expectation of returning to the playoffs. 

Firing Belichick would mean kicking one of the greatest coaches in the history of the sport to the curb, despite the fact the team continues to play hard (if badly), the defense is Top 5, and disregarding the injuries that crippled the offensive in 2023. Thanks for the six Lombardi Trophies, though.

As human beings are prone to superstition, signs, and omens, I think Kraft's decision will come down to the Jets game. 

If the Jets can end their losing streak against Belichick and the Patriots, it just would feel like the ending writing itself. Bill Belichick as Darth Hoodie, The Patriot Way, all of it over, done and dusted. 

Here Lies The Patriots Dynasty

January 27, 2000 - January 8, 2024

"We're on to Cincinnati."

But who knows? Maybe the Patriots beat the Jets and Belichick resigns before Kraft can fire him. Feels like a Bill kind of move, doesn't it? I can almost hear him at the press conference announcing him as the next head coach of the Carolina Panthers/Washington Commanders/Minnesota Vikings, when asked if he has any regrets about how things ended in New England…

"We're on to the future."

Aren't we all?

Go Pats!