Bill Belichick’s coaching performance has become a popular storyline amid a disastrous start for the New England Patriots. Stephen A. Smith said Bill Belichick the general manager is the bigger problem.
On Monday’s First Take, Smith advised Patriots owner Robert Kraft to strip Belichick of his GM duties
“Here’s what I tell him: ‘You are no longer the GM, the football decision-maker for this franchise. You can coach, but that’s it. You’re not deciding personnel any longer.’ And if Bill Belichick did not accept that, this would be Bill Belichick’s last season in New England,” Smith declared.
“If I’m Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots, I’d call Bill Belichick … and here’s what I’d tell him. ‘You are no longer the GM … for this franchise. You can coach, but that’s it.'”
—@stephenasmith pic.twitter.com/5Hkv2HUYwl
— First Take (@FirstTake) October 9, 2023
Smith blamed Belichick for pushing out Tom Brady before the quarterback and Kraft wanted to part ways. Furthermore, Smith said Belichick sabotaged any chance of Mac Jones succeeding by bringing back former defensive coordinator Matt Patricia and special teams coordinator Joe Judge to run the offense.
He repeated that the team should celebrate Belichick’s decorated career and move on entirely if he doesn’t agree to relinquish his GM role.
One way or another, it’s clear something must change in Foxborough.
The Patriots fell to 1-4 after getting outscored 72-3 in consecutive losses to the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints. Jones got benched in both games, throwing two picks each time.
Although they rank eighth in total defense, the Pats have scored an NFL-low 55 points while allowing four touchdowns to opposing defenses. They’re now 26-29 since Brady left in 2020.
No other NFL head coach also operates as the team’s sole GM. However, it’ll be tough for New England to push aside a six-time Super Bowl champion in any capacity.