Future in question, Bill Belichick 'getting ready for Kansas City'

Field Level Media|published: Wed 13th December, 12:20 2023

Dec 7, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick walks to the field before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. credits: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Patriots coach Bill Belichick was consistent with his answer when peppered about his coaching future in New England at his pre-practice press conference Wednesday morning.

"Yeah, I'm getting ready for Kansas City," Belichick said, referring to the Patriots' game against the visiting Chiefs on Sunday. "That's what I'm doing."

NBC Sports Boston reported owner Robert Kraft is prepared to move on from Belichick at the conclusion of the season. Belichick wasn't interested in delving into that topic, or if he wants to keep coaching, or if he discussed his future with Kraft.

No matter how the questions from gathered media were phrased, Belichick's answers were virtually the same: "I'm getting ready for Kansas City," he said.

Kraft said in March that it was "very important to me that we make the playoffs" when discussing his outlook for the franchise.

The Patriots (3-10) were eliminated from postseason contention for the third time in four seasons last Sunday following the Cincinnati Bengals' 34-14 victory over the Indianapolis Colts.

ESPN reported Wednesday there is a "growing belief around the NFL" that Belichick will resign or be fired at the end of the 2023 season.

Belichick, 71, has won six Super Bowl titles since becoming the Patriots' head coach in 2000.

His 301 regular-season coaching victories — accumulated with the Cleveland Browns (36) and Patriots (265) — are third-most in NFL history behind Hall of Fame members Don Shula (328) and George Halas (318).

—Field Level Media