Steve Belichick admits 'it's hard to ignore' skepticism over his coaching rise

Steve Belichick's rise through the New England Patriots coaching system has caused some skepticism regarding his current position with the team.

His father, Bill Belichick, the head coach of the Patriots, could be the reason the younger Belichick has climbed the ladder, but he likes to think otherwise.

“It’s hard living in the shadow, but I just try to be myself. I can’t control what you think. I can’t control what anybody else thinks or whose shadow I’m living in or why I got this job. I just try and go about my business. It’s hard to ignore sometimes,” Steve said, according to For The Win's Henry McKenna. “I think I’m just doing myself a disservice if I start thinking about that stuff. I just try and do my thing. I know that that’s going to be coming. It’s going to be coming my whole life. I can’t really run from it.”

Belichick's eldest son took on more responsibilities last season after former defensive coach Brian Flores departed the organization to become the head coach of the Miami Dolphins. While Steve Belichick was considered the safeties coach, it seemed he took on the role of defensive play-caller as well last season.

New England's defense was unbelievable in 2019, allowing the fewest yards and points in the league through the regular season. The Patriots also had the most interceptions (25) and fifth-most forced fumbles (26).

If the younger Belichick was, in fact, calling the shots last season, that's pretty impressive for a rather inexperienced play-caller.