Ian Rapoport: Bill Belichick's fate not yet decided, how rest of season goes will determine direction

[Ross12]

I think this is kind of simple. Whether the team actually wins a lot of games in these next 4 is not the point, it’s how they look. If they are competitive and the offense looks halfway decent and they’re not making baffling errors then it shows the problem was probably just Mac Jones, and that Bill hasn’t lost it as bad as it seemed. If Zappe continues to play decently then it also allows the other skill players to be evaluated better, which then shows that maybe Bill didn’t draft or sign free agents quite as poorly as we thought earlier in the year. If all of this is the case then it tells Kraft that Bill is not as bad as it seemed earlier in the year and it makes sense to keep him. Conversely, if the team is not competitive and still making mistakes or if they revert to form where the defense is keeping them in the game but the offense can’t do anything at all, it may keep Kraft hovering closer to idea of making a change.

Long story short, the last four games are more about seeing if this team was just being held down by absolutely horrific QB play and is actually not quite so bad, or if it is still a bottom dweller team. And wherever on the spectrum the answer to that question lands will factor into Kraft’s decision.

 

[Betterthanmost]

Kraft should keep Belichick because he is the best who has ever done the job. Every organization has ups and downs. The down time is when you need the best people the most.

That is ok but may not a be convincing reason for the rabid crowd with the pitch forks. They want blood, I just don't think there is anybody out there better than BB at this moment. And that is the issue the Krafts will run into. To make the call to move away from BB, you must sell someone who can deliver. Only person I will want is Kyle Shanahan and he is not available.

What has gone wrong since Brady left? We have got the signal caller wrong. If we had stuck with Stidham, we will be in a better overall position than we are now. Get someone who makes good decisions at the QB position and can throw NFL typed opened balls. Mac is looking for and needs Alabama type openings when he had DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, No NFL team can possibly have that talent all at once. Miami, Eagles and the 49'ners are close but their window is closing fast.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

No matter what they do the last 4 games, the team is still in a steady regression since the 2018 sb. No matter what happens in 4-5 games shouldn’t change anything, we’re wasting another year if it does.

 

[h0c2000]

2023 is already a year too late.

 

[Betterthanmost]

Is Ian Bill or Krafts guy?

 

[Ross12]

Is Ian Bill or Krafts guy?

Ian is national so he could get leaked stories from either direction. He broke the “bill is signed to a multi year deal” story earlier this season but hard to say if that was Bill trying to quiet the media about him going elsewhere or if it was Kraft getting the message out that he still has years left so if you want him you’ll have to trade for him, or somewhere in between.

With this story I have a hard time thinking Bill would be the source. How could Bill tell Ian what will determine the fate of his own employment and what will factor into the decision making of his employer? It seems like it would have to come from Kraft’s side.

 

[MahomestoKelce]

No matter what they do the last 4 games, the team is still in a steady regression since the 2018 sb. No matter what happens in 4-5 games shouldn’t change anything, we’re wasting another year if it does.

Bingo

 

[Ring 6]

I think this is kind of simple. Whether the team actually wins a lot of games in these next 4 is not the point, it’s how they look. If they are competitive and the offense looks halfway decent and they’re not making baffling errors then it shows the problem was probably just Mac Jones, and that Bill hasn’t lost it as bad as it seemed. If Zappe continues to play decently then it also allows the other skill players to be evaluated better, which then shows that maybe Bill didn’t draft or sign free agents quite as poorly as we thought earlier in the year. If all of this is the case then it tells Kraft that Bill is not as bad as it seemed earlier in the year and it makes sense to keep him. Conversely, if the team is not competitive and still making mistakes or if they revert to form where the defense is keeping them in the game but the offense can’t do anything at all, it may keep Kraft hovering closer to idea of making a change.

Long story short, the last four games are more about seeing if this team was just being held down by absolutely horrific QB play and is actually not quite so bad, or if it is still a bottom dweller team. And wherever on the spectrum the answer to that question lands will factor into Kraft’s decision.

When you recognize the issues with the QB it pits a different perspective on things. There was never any question that JMD had a tight leash on 10 in his rookie year. But it’s becoming clear that the disdaining the downfield routes and not sticking with them long enough to develop before checking down us in 10s dna.
The free agent weapon splurge in 2020 may have been a lot better than it looked because 10 was holding them back.
Agholor was coming off a 48/896/8 season and had averaged 58 catches per 16 games over the last 4 seasons. With 10 he goes 37/473/3 and 31/362/2.
Jonnu Smith produced about half here of what he did before and after. Hunter Henry averaged 6.5 targets his last 2 years in SD and has average 3.95 with 10. 10 has reduced Henry to 60% of himself because he can’t properly execute passing plays.

In retrospect the 21 Patriots were a very good team held back by 10, particularly after being 9-4 and in the 1 seed.

 

[Ring 6]

No matter what they do the last 4 games, the team is still in a steady regression since the 2018 sb. No matter what happens in 4-5 games shouldn’t change anything, we’re wasting another year if it does.

I don’t agree. The team is in a rebuild and progress in a rebuild is not linear.
2021 certainly wasn’t a decline and the team, aside from the QB was drastically better than the 2019 team. They carried a rookie qb who just can’t/won’t execute pass plays properly to bring in the 1 seed in week 14 before he choked away the season.
The last 2 years have been a solid team held back by awful qb play as the team tried to develop the qb they invested the #15 pick in.
With barely competent QB play this team would be positioned for its 3rd straight post season. The QB problem has been THAT DRAMATIC.

 

[Joey007]

I stand firm with this thought:

You let Bill not only stay as coach, but GM next year as well, it will set back the franchise another 3-5 years.

Your move, Bob.

 

[sb1]

The last 2 years have been a solid team held back by awful qb play as the team tried to develop the qb they invested the #15 pick in.

8-9 and then 3-10 and counting is a "solid team"?

Getting 2 failed head coaches who know nothing about offense to run your offense and develop your young QB is not the QB's problem. That's on the HC and only the HC.

 

[sb1]

In retrospect the 21 Patriots were a very good team held back by 10,

"Very good" team's don't let their opponent go 7 for 7 in the playoffs on TD drives and not forcing a punt in over 2 full games. That's not the QB's fault either.

 

[lancerman]

That Kraft and his decision makers would base a decision on four meaningless games, and try to pump up the fanbase on a 4-5 win season culminating in beating the Zach Wilson Jets in a meaningless game, tells you everything you need to know about the dysfunctional state of the organization in 2023.

This is why I don't buy Rapp tbh. Nothing about the next 4 games changes what a collosal **** up this season was and the terrible product Bill built up to over 4 years. Which makes me think this is more just another Rapp "I'm going to smooth things over for the team" piece.

 

[Ring 6]

8-9 and then 3-10 and counting is a "solid team"?

Getting 2 failed head coaches who know nothing about offense to run your offense and develop your young QB is not the QB's problem. That's on the HC and only the HC.

They aren’t 8-9 and 3-10 with a competant QB.

The QB has held back the team under every OC.

 

[sb1]

They aren’t 8-9 and 3-10 with a competant QB.

The QB has held back the team under every OC.

The HC has held back the team the last couple of seasons far more.

 

[Ring 6]

"Very good" team's don't let their opponent go 7 for 7 in the playoffs on TD drives and not forcing a punt in over 2 full games. That's not the QB's fault either.

With a competent QB they may have had a bye that week, or been playing at home.

 

[sb1]

With a competent QB they may have had a bye that week, or been playing at home.

So the Bills depants our team at home then. Cool.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

This will excite would be UDFA secondary players from Rutgers and everyone else playing in Div 3. that they too can get drafted in the first two rounds of the 2024 NFL draft!

 

[BHPatriot]

You'd have to be brain dead to believe that BB is talking to the media.
Brain========Dead

I would think BB's agent has to talk to the media or he's not doing his job. Any person in the public eye would want to control the narrative. It's just good for business. Why would Al Michael's mention the media gig idea and BB's Emmy? That seemed like it was fed to him.

 

[Ring 6]

So the Bills depants our team at home then. Cool.

Yes the entire organization boils down to 1 game. Pure genius.