Patriots Hall of Famer shares wish for Bill Belichick's future

Retired safety, NFL analyst and New England Patriots Hall of Famer Rodney Harrison hopes legendary head coach Bill Belichick embraces a fresh start elsewhere this offseason. 

"I think a new environment would be great for him," Harrison said about Belichick during a chat with Karen Guregian of MassLive. "I think a new situation, whether that means sitting out a year, and relaxing and enjoying some of the fruits of his labor, or going to a team that will give him different opportunities will provide that spark." 

While the Patriots will miss the playoffs this season for the third time in four years under Belichick, the six-time Super Bowl champion head coach who turns 72 years old this coming April has been linked in stories with numerous clubs. As recently as Friday, it was reported that Patriots owner Robert Kraft could take "several weeks" and wait until "well into February" to announce a final decision on Belichick's future. 

Belichick is scheduled to meet with Kraft and Patriots president Jonathan Kraft this Monday. 

"I just think it’s gotten to the point in time where he’s been there so long, he’s accomplished everything you could possibly accomplish as a coach and more, and sometimes, it’s just time," Harrison explained. "Personally, I think it’s time for Bill." 

Belichick will enter Sunday's regular-season finale versus the New York Jets 15 victories away from breaking the NFL record for career wins earned by a head coach (regular season and postseason combined), a mark currently held by Don Shula. According to Ben Volin of The Boston Globe, Belichick "wants to remain with the Patriots" and "has put up with increased interference from (Robert Kraft) in recent years." 

Harrison thinks "a different challenge" away from Kraft could light a fire under Belichick.

"I do think it goes both ways," Harrison added. "I think Mr. Kraft needs something different. It’s just been a long time. We’ll see if it happens. That’s just my opinion."

Harrison is hardly the first person with ties to the Patriots to suggest that a "mutual parting of the ways" would benefit both Belichick and Kraft, but neither side has publicly confirmed that to be the case. For now, the football community will wait to see what Belichick does and doesn't say shortly after he walks off the Gillette Stadium field on Sunday afternoon.