Insider predicts Patriots will trade Bill Belichick to AFC West team

It's apparent the New England Patriots will probably move on from head coach Bill Belichick this offseason, but will he coach elsewhere in 2024?

Longtime NFL reporter Sal Paolantonio predicts the organization will trade the six-time Super Bowl champion and floated the Los Angeles Chargers as a potential destination.

"They're not going to fire Bill Belichick. They're going to trade Bill Belichick," Paloantonio said Tuesday on ESPN's "Get Up." "So, this is the big decision. [Owner] Robert Kraft and [president] Jonathan Kraft have to sit down with Belichick and say, 'Alright, we have a big opportunity. You have an opportunity to perhaps go to the L.A. Chargers.'"

This wouldn't be the first time Belichick has been traded. In 2000, the Patriots dealt a first-, fourth- and seventh-rounder to the New York Jets to acquire the HC. 

Although trading for the future Hall of Famer would be costly, he would be an upgrade over Chargers HC Brandon Staley, who's reportedly on the hot seat after a 4-6 start. 

In three seasons with Los Angeles, Staley has a 23-21 record and no playoff wins. Also, the Chargers have lost 21 games by three points or less during his tenure, per Statmuse. 

Since future HOFer Tom Brady left New England in 2020, Belichick has a losing record (27-33), but he might rebound with Justin Herbert. The Chargers QB has thrown the fourth-most TDs in the NFL (113) over the past four seasons. 

If the Chargers move on from Staley, they must make a big move to reestablish themselves as Super Bowl contenders. So, why wouldn't they try to acquire an HC with the third-most wins (300) in league history?