While debate has raged for weeks about whether sticking with Bill Belichick is best for the Patriots, one of his best former players thinks the legendary coach would be energized by a new opportunity.
Patriots Hall of Famer Rodney Harrison, who was a part of two Super Bowl championship teams, is hoping Belichick moves on from the team for that reason.
“I think a new environment would be great for him,” Harrison told MassLive Thursday. “I think a new situation whether that means sitting out a year, and relaxing and enjoying some of the fruits of his labor, or going to a team that will give him different opportunities will provide that spark.”
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Belichick is in his 24th season, and sits 16 wins shy of tying Don Shula’s all-time record. He’s helped bring six championships to New England. In recent years, however, the wins have been tough to come by. The 12 losses this season stand as the worst during Belichick’s tenure, and worst under Robert Kraft’s ownership of the team.
The expectation is for Kraft to meet with Belichick on Monday, with the session perhaps extending into the week. Kraft will decide on his coach’s fate, if he hasn’t made up his mind already.
Belichick could very well be coaching his last game with the Patriots on Sunday, taking a final spin on the sidelines at Gillette Stadium with the New York Jets in town.
“I just think it’s gotten to the point in time where he’s been there so long, he’s accomplished everything you could possibly accomplish as a coach and more, and sometimes, it’s just time,” said Harrison. “Personally, I think it’s time for Bill.”
The former Patriot great, who now serves as an analyst for NBC, compared the situation to when he was a free agent with the Chargers, and after nine seasons with San Diego, pondered a move to New England.
“When I left the Chargers, one part of me didn’t think there was another side of football. Because I only knew one side. Then when I was able to experience the other side, which was the Patriots,” he said. “It opened up my entire world. It sparked me and gave me energy. Something like that can do the same with Coach Belichick.”
To date, the Los Angeles Chargers have a vacancy after canning Brandon Staley. The Las Vegas Raiders and Carolina Panthers also had head coaches fired this season.
More are expected on Black Monday. Speculation has Washington’s Ron Rivera being among those expected to be let go.
Harrison believes if Belichick chooses another place to coach, it’ll be because he wants to be there.
“I think after being in a place, and accomplishing as much as he’s accomplished there, he needs a different challenge,” said Harrison. “He needs to wake up and see a different environment. It’s waking up with different challenges, different expectations, different people you’re around, I don’t think that would be a bad deal for him. It keeps you on your game. I would love to see Bill get another opportunity to coach, if that’s what he wants.”
Harrison also believes it’s time for the Patriots to move on from Belichick, and start fresh, whether that’s with Jerod Mayo, or whoever else the Krafts deem a worthy successor.
“I do think it goes both ways. I think Mr. Kraft needs something different,” said Harrison. “It’s just been a long time. We’ll see if it happens. That’s just my opinion.”
There are several scenarios that could play out whether it’s a mutual parting, Belichick getting traded to a new team with the Patriots receiving compensation, him getting fired, or Kraft opting to keep him on.
With a 4-12 team that’s had a trying season, and Belichick’s personnel and coaching decisions coming under fire, the bloom has come off the rose.
“You are disgruntled because as a fan, you’re spending your money, you get tired of looking at crap, you get tired of looking at blown coverages, missed tackles, and missed blocks,” said Harrison. “So, yeah, you’re going to be pissed off at Bill because he set a standard, and when you’re far below that standard, it’s time for him to say, ‘Hey, I’ve failed at my job. I need to walk away.’”
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