As the New England Patriots continue to mull Bill Belichick's future with the organization, two things that don't seem likely to happen are a firing or a trade.
Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Patriots owner Robert Kraft is "sensitive to the narrative" of firing arguably the most successful head coach in NFL history, but there's not a sense of momentum for a potential trade if the team wants to move on:
"The Patriots coaching staff is mostly out of the building as the organization awaits clarity on Bill Belichick's future. Belichick, who wasn't in the building much Tuesday, has told his staff it can get away and that they would all reconvene at a later date, sort of a business-as-usual stance. I've talked to a few people with the team who wonder whether the longer this drags out actually increases the chances Belichick returns for one more year, though certainly everyone is bracing for potential change. The belief is team owner Robert Kraft is sensitive to the narrative that he'd fire one of the best coaches in history, so this will be handled delicately, which begs the question: What if Belichick doesn't agree to an amicable split, placing the onus on Kraft to fire him or let him coach out his contract? That's a question that might need to be answered in real time. I'm not sensing much momentum for a Belichick trade to a new team, but we shall see."
At his end-of-season press conference on Monday, Belichick did leave open the possibility he would be willing to relinquish his personnel power with the Patriots.
"Look, I'm for whatever collectively we decide as an organization is the best thing to help our football team," he said. "And, I have multiple roles in that, and I rely on a lot of people to help me in those responsibilities. If somebody's got to have the final say, I rely on a lot of other people to help. And, however that process is, I'm only part of it."
This could be a potential opening for Belichick to return. The primary discussion around his role with the Patriots has been about how he's built the roster more than any concern about a decline in his ability coaching during games.
Per The Athletic's Jeff Howe, Kraft and Belichick had their first in-person meeting about the future on Monday and they are expected to meet "at least" one more time before any decision is made.
The Patriots don't have to rush into any decision because potential candidates employed by other teams can't interview in-person with teams until Jan. 22, per league rules. Coaches not currently employed were allowed to start interviewing on Monday.
Another potential complicating factor in this situation is Mike Vrabel. The 48-year-old was fired by the Tennessee Titans on Monday. He played eight seasons with the Patriots, was inducted into their Hall of Fame this season and would be of interest to New England if Belichick isn't brought back.
New England just wrapped up its worst season in 24 years with Belichick as head coach. The team finished last in the AFC East with a 4-13 record. Its the first time the franchise has lost at least 10 games in a season since 2000 (5-11).
In four seasons since Tom Brady left, the Patriots are 29-38 with zero playoff wins in one postseason appearance.
