Bill Belichick David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Some members of Patriots brass 'in shock' over Bill Belichick decision

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 1/11/24

Rumors of Bill Belichick's potential exit as head coach of the New England Patriots had been swirling for months prior to Thursday's news that the two sides were splitting.

Still, when any relationship ends after 24 years, there's bound to be some stunned reactions.

That's apparently been the case on Thursday morning from some members of the Patriots brass.

Members of the Patriots' front office found out about today's parting of ways with Bill Belichick via social media.

Longer-tenured members of the organization are in shock about today's decision. A sense of denial that this was actually going to happen.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) January 11, 2024

Meanwhile, Mike Giardi of the Boston Sports Journal wrote on social media that a "handful of staffers" he'd talked with in the aftermath of Belichick's departure were "disappointed" with the way they learned about the news. Giardi added, however, that they "expected that change was coming."

A handful of staffers I've spoken with this morning are disappointed at the way they found that Belichick was gone - having to check their social media. But, by and large, expected that change was coming, though one told me, "the longer this played out - these last few days felt…
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) January 11, 2024

Perhaps Thursday afternoon will bring some responses to unanswered questions from fans, media and the New England staff alike.

The Patriots will be holding an unprecedented media availability session with both Belichick and longtime owner Robert Kraft at noon.

Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick will address the media at noon today. pic.twitter.com/1WNzwtUsPC
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) January 11, 2024

Kraft has been the Patriots owner since 1994. In January 2000, he traded a first-round pick to the AFC East rival New York Jets for the rights to hire Belichick as the team's head coach.

That came less than one month after Belichick was introduced as the Jets' newest head coach, but then abruptly resigned from the post.

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