So did the New England Patriots actually sign Bill Belichick to a lucrative new long-term contract extension?
It seems we now have conflicting reports regarding Belichick’s “multi-year” agreement signed last offseason.
On Sunday, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network shared news of the deal amid mounting rumors that Belichick could lose his job if things don’t turn around quickly.
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
However, longtime Patriots reporter Tom E. Curran seems to be pushing back on the idea a bit. Saying that the deal wouldn’t get in the way of Robert Kraft going in a different direction should he so choose.
“My understanding remains that this multi-year only includes 2023 and 2024,” Curran explained on his podcast. “So, there’s your two years. Extension not going into the back of this decade. Additionally, when we talk about that contract, I think Bill Belichick is still very much on the same notice Robert Kraft had him on in March. If the team is not headed in the right direction, then personal gain and personal satisfaction and statistics will be trumped by overall performance of the team.”
“Patriots are not going to be constrained, in my understanding, by any contract extension,” Curran concluded. “Nor is this contract extension giving Bill any kind of [assurances] that he’s here for the long term.”
🚨PATRIOTS TALK PODCAST: The Aftermath🚨
– 6 reasons the Pats pulled the upset
– Validation for Mac?
– Deep diving the report of BB’s “multi-year” extension. Does it carry past ’24? Does it mean the heat’s off for Bill? (No & No) Listen ⏬https://t.co/H8pSjC4EM0 via @YouTube
— Tom E. Curran (@tomecurran) October 22, 2023
With all that said, Rapoport is still standing by his initial reporting. Going on-air Monday:
Bill Belichick and the Patriots earlier this offseason, very quietly, agreed to terms on a lucrative, multi-year new contract for Bill Belichick — locking him in for the next several years.
Time will tell who ends up being right with this one. But regardless, more wins are going to be needed in Foxborough if the team wants to quiet the noise.