Insider shares wild rumor about Patriots HC Bill Belichick

It appears New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft could potentially part ways with Bill Belichick this offseason without firing the legendary head coach. 

According to Chris Rosvoglou of The Spun, NFL insider Mike Florio suggested during Wednesday's edition of the "Pro Football Talk" program that the Washington Commanders could attempt to trade for Belichick's services this winter. 

"What I heard over the weekend from someone I know and someone I trust that made me say, 'Whoa, that's interesting' is the possibility that the end result for the Commanders is a trade with the Patriots for Bill Belichick," Florio explained. "And it makes sense when you think about it." 

After it was reported last month that Belichick signed a multiyear contract extension this past offseason, Patriots insider Tom E. Curran of NBC Sports Boston said his "understanding" was that the deal "only includes 2023 and 2024." Florio noted on Wednesday that the initial story about Belichick's contract may have leaked because Kraft wanted "owners throughout the league" to know about the 71-year-old's status with New England before other clubs "begin the process of figuring out who they want to hire next year."

It was rumored throughout the summer that Belichick was "on the hot seat in 2023," and that was before New England lost six of its first eight games. The Patriots missed the postseason in two of the last three campaigns after quarterback Tom Brady signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in March 2020 and could essentially be out of playoff contention by Dec 1.

As for the Commanders, they head into their Week 9 game against none other than the Patriots at 3-5 and became sellers ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline. Some believed Washington offensive coordinator and assistant head coach Eric Bieniemy could eventually replace head coach Ron Rivera, but stories about Bieniemy's alleged intensity during summer practices coupled with Belichick's supposed availability could cause Commanders ownership to go in a different direction. 

It's unknown if Belichick would welcome a change of scenery at this stage of his life assuming Kraft would accept a massive NFL-altering trade. Per Jeremy Bergman of the league's website, the New Orleans Saints received a 2023 first-round draft pick and a 2024 second-round selection from the Denver Broncos in exchange for coach Sean Payton and a future third-round choice last winter.