If the Bill Belichick era in New England is over, it ended with a thud. The legendary head coach has been the subject of speculation and rumors throughout the season, and he saw the New England Patriots suffer a 17-3 defeat to the Jets in their Week 18 season finale.
The loss gave the Patriots a 4-13 record and left them firmly planted in last place in the AFC East. It is clearly the worst year record-wise of Belichick’s head coaching career. The Patriots had a 1-8 record at home this season, and the loss to the Jets ended a 15-game winning streak against their long-time rivals.
Veteran defensive back Jabrill Peppers has said throughout the season that the Patriots problems this season was the fault of the players on the field and not Belichick. He reiterated those feelings after losing to the Jets, and he was upset that the team could not end the season with a victory.
“I’m just mad we couldn’t get it done for him,” Peppers said. “It is what it is. We’ve got to own that.”
Neither Belichick nor owner Robert Kraft have spoken about the head coach’s future with the Patriots during the season. However, now that the season has concluded, the two men will be meeting shortly to discuss the season and presumably Belichick’s future.
Belichick has been the head coach of the Patriots since the 2000 season. Prior to that, he had been the head coach of the Cleveland Browns from 1991 through 1995.
Bill Belichick has coached the Patriots to 6 Super Bowl championships and he has been a 3-time winner of the Coach of the Year Award.
More must-reads: