A recent report alleged Bill Belichick had interest in returning to New York to become coach of the Giants, for whom he previously worked as an assistant and defensive coordinator from 1979-90. That rumor was put to rest when Belichick said he “absolutely” intends to be back with the Patriots next season.
FOXBORO — Speculation had swirled since Friday when an ESPN article insinuated the end was imminent for the Patriots’ power trio of Robert Kraft, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady due to their increasingly frustrating working relationship.
That led to a report over the weekend Belichick had interest in returning to New York to become coach of the Giants, for whom he previously worked as an assistant and defensive coordinator from 1979 to ’90.
That rumor was put to rest Monday during a conference call when Belichick said he “absolutely” intends to be back with the Patriots next season, which would mark his 19th consecutive season in New England.
So unless Kraft is selling the team or Brady, whose two-year, $41-million contract extension kicks in next season, demands a trade the Big Three will remain intact.
However, there’s a different NEP trio that has been instrumental to the team’s sustained success over the past two decades that does indeed appear on the verge of breaking up.
While Belichick is “absolutely” staying put, defensive coordinator Matt Patricia looks as if he’ll be coaching his own team next season and there’s a chance the same will be true for offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
Patricia was interviewed by the Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions and New York Giants for their coaching vacancies last week while the Patriots were off after securing a first-round playoff bye.
That came a year after he interviewed with the Chargers and Rams, both of whom are now based in Los Angeles, before opting to return to the Patriots for a 14th consecutive season, the last six as defensive coordinator.
“It’s always a learning experience, like when I’ve been through it before,” Patricia said. “You know, you have the opportunity to learn about some other franchises and get a chance to talk about how they do things and really just kind of broaden your whole overall education of what the NFL and the different organizations are.
“So, it’s always a very informative process. It’s interesting when you go through it. The good part about it is when it’s done then you really just kind of flip your focus back to the task at hand.”
That would be helping the top-seeded Patriots prepare for an AFC divisional round game against the No. 5 Tennessee Titans at 8:15 p.m. Saturday at Gillette Stadium.
Former NFL executive Michael Lombardi tweeted Monday the Lions could hire a new coach as early as Tuesday and their choice won’t be a surprise. That, coupled with the fact Detroit general manager Bob Quinn worked for the Patriots from 2009 to ’15 in the personnel and scouting departments, points to Patricia getting the job.
Predictably, Patricia downplayed his relationship with Quinn.
“You know, I have relationships with guys throughout the entire league, and I obviously like to maintain my relationships to the best of my ability,” he said. “But, really right now, my focus is on Tennessee and just trying to get ready for what we’ve got in front of us. That’s kind of my main thing right now.”
Patricia can’t sign a contract with the Lions until the Patriots’ season is over, but the two sides can agree to a deal in principle.
If Patricia does indeed depart, linebackers coach Brian Flores would be a logical choice to replace him as he’s spent the past 10 seasons working as an assistant under Belichick. Flores, 36, is a rising star, as evidenced by the fact the Arizona Cardinals interviewed him for their coaching vacancy last week.
As for McDaniels, he interviewed with the Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts and New York Giants. The Bears hired Kansas City Chiefs offense coordinator Matt Nagy as coach Monday, so that’s one less option.
The Colts would seem to be a good fit for McDaniels if quarterback Andrew Luck’s surgically repaired shoulder is OK.
McDaniels said he has “no idea, really” where things are headed.
“You know, just obviously did what was allowed and then have kind of refocused on moving into this week and getting ready for Tennessee,” he said. “So, I have no other information, and that’s about where it stands right now.”
And right now one Patriot power trio is apparently absolutely sticking together, but it looks as though another terrific threesome is finally going to be broken up.
— Rich Garven writes for the Worcester Telegram & Gazette of GateHouse Media.