After missing the playoffs for the second time in three seasons without Tom Brady, some have speculated that Bill Belichick’s seat is a little hot heading into 2023.
Boomer Esiason isn’t buying it, as the former quarterback and current New York sports radio host made clear during an appearance on “The Greg Hill Show” on WEEI Tuesday.
“Those ‘some people’ are idiots,” Esiason said, via Audacy. “You see Gillette Stadium. Did you see their new renovations? Do you see all the success that the Patriots have had? Everybody knows who they are because of the success that Bill Belichick has brought to that team. So, anybody that ever even talks about firing Bill Belichick would be idiotic. And the fact is, the question really should be, how much longer does he want to do this? Because I think he has a contract in perpetuity for as long as he wants to coach.”
Boomer Esiason has a message to people who think Bill Belichick may be on the hot seat! pic.twitter.com/8fOQX9vsL4
— The Greg Hill Show (@TheGregHillShow) September 5, 2023
While Esiason doesn’t think Belichick’s job is in jeopardy without a playoff berth, he did say that the Patriots would have to qualify for the postseason in order to consider 2023 a success.
“In my mind, it has to be a playoff team,” Esiason said. “And the reason I say that is because they went out and fixed the offensive coordinatorship. I’m sure you guys have been talking incessantly about that up there. But Bill O’Brien, when he was there last they were really good, but they also had Tom Brady as quarterback. That certainly helps. But I know they’re going to have a top-flight defense. They’re going to keep themselves in games. And really what it comes down to is Mac Jones and whether or not he’s ready to take the next step.”
The Patriots will open up the 2023 season against the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday at Gillette Stadium.