After 24 years and six titles, Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft wanted to end things in a civil manner.
The legendary head coach and the Patriots owner “took the high road” in discussing how to end their historic partnership together, according to ESPN.
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They agreed on a mutual parting Thursday, per NFL Network, with a formal announcement coming during their scheduled press conference Thursday.
The two met earlier this week to discuss the future, and sources told ESPN there was “no conflict, no disagreement.”
Belichick and Kraft ultimately agreed on a “mutual decision that left both sides comfortable and at ease,” according to ESPN.
Those details included Belichick being let out of his contract with one year remaining, per the report, since he still would like to coach.
While Belichick and Kraft have reportedly had their differences during their successful union, it’s clear that both sides didn’t want to end things on a poor note.
Owners and coaches will butt heads over time, but the Belichick-Kraft combination – with a lot of help from Tom Brady – produced one of the greatest – if not the greatest – dynasties in sports history.
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Belichick went 266-121 in his 24 seasons in New England, along with a 30-12 playoff record.
He led the Patriots to nine Super Bowl appearances, with their last title coming following the 2018 season when they defeated the Rams.
New England has not won a playoff game since that Super Bowl title.
Since Brady’s departure in 2020, the Patriots have become just another team.
Belichick went 29-38 in his four seasons without Brady, including the worst year of his career this past season when the Patriots finished 4-13.
With the Patriots now in position to potentially draft a franchise quarterback with the third pick in the upcoming draft, Kraft and Belichick decided to start fresh.
The two reportedly had butted heads at times over power and roster decisions – notably how to handle the Brady succession plan, which ultimately backfired as Mac Jones didn’t pan out.
Now, Belichick will attempt to chase Don Shula’s coaching record in a new city and Kraft has the unenviable task of trying to replace arguably the greatest coach in NFL history.
This story originally appeared on the New York Post and has been reposted with permission
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