Bill Belichick wasn’t revealing much.
The legendary Patriots coach was tight-lipped — even for him — Monday morning during his end-of-season press conference when addressing his murky future with the team, but one answer was significant.
He was asked directly if he’d be willing to relinquish his control over personnel decisions to achieve this.
“I’m for whatever collectively we determine as a company is the perfect thing to assist our football team,” Belichick said. “I actually have multiple roles in that, and I depend on loads of people to assist me in those responsibilities. Any individual’s gotta have the ultimate say. I actually have it, I depend on loads of other people to assist. Whatever process that’s, I’m only a part of it.”
Rumors about Belichick’s future swirled all season, because the Patriots finished with a 4-13 record and missed the playoffs for the third time in 4 seasons.
They notably finished the season Sunday with their first loss to the Jets since 2015.
“I’m under contract,” Belichick said. “I’m gonna do what I at all times do, which is, day-after-day I are available as hard as I can to assist the team in whatever way I can. That’s what I’m gonna proceed to do. Today was the wrap-up day for us with the players, could have a gathering with them after which go from there.
“So far as any decisions or direction or anything like that for next 12 months, it’s way too early for that.”
Multiple reports throughout the season suggested that owner Robert Kraft will likely wish to move on from his longtime coach this offseason and that there might be a clumsy — or messy — split.
Other reports claimed that Kraft and Belichick had not met through the season as his future hung within the balance, but Belichick clarified Monday that they did indeed meet through the season and can again soon.
He was asked directly if he desires to remain with the Patriots and help get the team back on the suitable track.
“I’m gonna do every part I can day-after-day to do the perfect I can to assist our football team,” Belichick said. “That’s what I’ve at all times done. It’s never been any different for me in my profession. Learned that lesson from my dad growing up. You’re employed for the team you’re working for and also you do the perfect you possibly can for them. Until someone tells you different. That’s not gonna change.”