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