The New England Patriots 2022 regular season didn't end how they hoped, but they'll at least have a chance to build on whatever foundation they've established. At a Monday press conference, head coach Bill Belichick confirmed he will return for a 24th season with the team.
Bill Belichick said he’ll be back for a 24th season as #Patriots head coach. Said the process of “turning the page” to next season will begin later today. “We’ve got to have better results, that’s the bottom line,” he said. pic.twitter.com/P8iFCcLrgO
— Jim McBride (@globejimmcbride) January 9, 2023
Belichick turns 71 later this year. With six Super Bowl wins and nine AFC Championships as a head coach to his credit, his legacy as one of the NFL's all-time successful coaches is secure, so every underwhelming year will invite questions regarding his retirement.
It's been a pretty joyless three seasons since quarterback Tom Brady left the Patriots following the 2019 season. The Patriots finished 8-9 this season, their second losing season in three years, and their lone playoff appearance over that period ended in a humiliating 47-17 loss to the Buffalo Bills. They finished with a winning record for 19 straight seasons from 2001 to 2019 and won 30 playoff games under Brady.
Belichick likely understands that he can still do his legend an incredible service by achieving some success without Brady. In 10 seasons without the star quarterback as his leading passer, he sports a 77-85 record and .475 winning percentage. Meanwhile, Brady immediately turned around the flailing Tampa Bay Buccaneers franchise when he joined them in 2020, earning them their first playoff appearance in over a decade and winning Super Bowl LV in his first season with the team.
Photo Credit: © David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports.jpg)
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