New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Report suggests Bill Belichick isn't on the hot seat in New England

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 10/22/23

Bill Belichick has received plenty of heat for New England's 1-5 start, but it now seems unlikely that it will cost him his job at the end of the season.

NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported Sunday that Belichick signed a multi-year extension earlier this year to remain with the Patriots for the foreseeable future.

From @NFLGameDay: This past offseason, #Patriots coach Bill Belichick quietly agreed to a lucrative multi-year new contract, sources say. That, at least, adds some context to the discussions about the greatest coach in NFL history. pic.twitter.com/ZPjRxzMVzJ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 22, 2023

Belichick has been New England's head coach since 2000, winning six Super Bowls and being named Associated Press Coach of the Year three times.

The past couple of seasons haven't gone as well. The Patriots only have one winning record since 2020, and they likely won't add another one this year.

New England is 1-5 and a 7.5-point underdog at home against the Bills in Week 7.

It's been 30 years since New England started a season 1-6, back when Belichick was in his third year as Browns head coach.

With Belichick seemingly safe in Foxboro, that could mean the end is near for quarterback Mac Jones.

Jones was benched in back-to-back losses against the Cowboys and Saints and ranks 30th in ESPN's QBR metric. Jones is 129-of-201 (64.2 percent) for 1,208 yards (six yards per attempt), five touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Unless things click for Jones during the second half of the season, it seems unlikely Belichick would keep him in the starting role in 2024.

During the offseason, Patriots owner Robert Kraft expressed his belief in Jones and even invited him to a party at the Hamptons with former Patriots players.

That raised speculation that if Kraft were to make a move following the 2023 season, it could be Belichick on the block.

Instead, it appears he'll be back, presumably in the same head coach-general manager role that's put New England in the cellar of the AFC East.

After the past couple of seasons that have seen the talent in New England deteriorate, that might not be the best path for the Patriots to return to relevancy.

Belichick and Jones are equally at fault for New England's struggles, but only one might pay the price.

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