Bill Belichick’s exit signals the ‘worst day in New England Patriots history’, fans claim… as they hail the ‘greatest to ever do it’ – and insist owner Robert Kraft will ‘forever regret this’
Fans have blasted the New England Patriots’ decision to let Bill Belichick leave, calling today the “worst day in franchise history.”
Belichick is leaving after 24 years, six Super Bowls and the most successful NFL coaching stint of all time, but also in the wake of a disastrous 4-13 season.
He is expected to take another job in the NFL, and Patriots fans have shared their thoughts on billionaire owner Robert Kraft walking their legendary coach out the door.
“Today is the worst day in #Patriots team history,” one person wrote. “It’s disgusting to go after Bill Belichick after all he’s done for the franchise, and there’s no appreciation at all for a man who brought them six Super Bowls and turned it into a historic franchise. Robert Kraft will regret this forever.”
Elsewhere, another posted a photo of Belichick next to his six Super Bowl trophies, with the caption: “Best thing ever done.”
Bill Belichick has stepped down as head coach of the New England Patriots after 24 years in the role
He was branded the ‘best to ever do it’ by fans on social media early Thursday morning
One account claimed that billionaire owner Robert Kraft will forever regret letting Belichick go
Belichick’s departure from the Patriots marks the third legendary coach to leave his position in the past 24 hours, with Seattle’s 71-year-old Pete Carroll and Alabama’s Nick Saban leaving.
One NFL fan told X, “Wow, so many legends have passed in the last 24 hours.”
Another said: ‘Incredible week in the football world. Legends retire and/or are let go, creating opportunities for others. But who will be brave enough to replace Belichick, Carrol and Saban?’
The 71-year-old Belichick ranks third among NFL coaches in regular-season victories with 302 victories – just 26 behind leader Don Shula, who won only two Super Bowls with the Miami Dolphins after failing to do so with the Baltimore Colts. Including the postseason, Belichick’s 33 wins trail only Shula’s 347.
But even without the NFL record for wins, Belichick’s resume in the league is unparalleled.
A three-time AP Coach of the Year, Belichick was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2000s and 2010s, as well as the league’s 10th Anniversary All-Time Team.
Belichick (left in 2012) and Patriots owner Robert Kraft (right) were scheduled to meet this week
Belichick smiles next to Tom Brady after beating the Browns for his 100th win in 2019
Including his time as Parcells’ defensive coordinator with the New York Giants, Belichick has a record eight Super Bowl rings.
Additionally, he holds head coaching records for most Super Bowl wins (six), Super Bowl appearances (nine), playoff wins (31), playoff appearances (19) and division titles (17).
In fact, in 29 years as a head coach, Belichick has missed the postseason just 10 times: four of his five dismal seasons with the Cleveland Browns, and another six times in New England.
Additionally, Belichick missed the playoffs just once with a healthy Brady, who left his old coach before the 2020 season to sign with Tampa Bay, where he won his seventh Super Bowl title as a player.