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“Owner Robert Kraft and head coach Bill Belichick still haven't met to discuss the future. Until they do, there will be more questions than answers about how this plays out, and there remains a scenario where Belichick returns to New England for a 25th season.
Belichick, 71, intends to coach in 2024. He's motivated to break Don Shula's all-time wins record. And with Kraft taking on a bigger role in recent years with decision-making within the football operations, such as last year's moves to bring back offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien and retain linebackers coach Jerod Mayo, Belichick has lost a level of control over how the building runs compared to when the team was winning six Super Bowls.
Kraft, 82, has consulted numerous people about how to move forward, with his stated hopes of a return to the playoffs in 2023 long gone amidst a 4-11 season. Kraft is also conscientious of how the Tom Brady situation played out and wants to make sure Belichick's exit, whenever it comes, is handled the right way, making a firing (as opposed to a "mutual parting") highly unlikely.
Could Kraft present a plan, including possible front-office additions/changes, that Belichick would accept? If not, would Kraft give Belichick permission to seek a trade? And is there a match out there for Belichick, who would need to find the right owner and roster situation to build things his way quickly?
If Belichick does move on, speculation has centered on Mayo as his successor. That's not a guarantee, though, and other options -- particular coaches with Patriots ties, such as Josh McDaniels or Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores -- shouldn't be ruled out.”
Sounds like Kraft softening on things a bit based on wording and the mentions of Kraft’s involvement in decision-making which takes some of the responsibility off of Bill. However, this is the first time I’ve seen McDaniels and Flores floated as replacement candidates from a connected source.