Bill Belichick responds to report Robert Kraft has already decided to part ways

FOXBORO — According to a report from NBC Sports Boston’s Tom E. Curran, Patriots owner Robert Kraft decided last month he will part with head coach Bill Belichick after the season.

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Kraft reached his decision after the Patriots’ 10-3 loss to the Colts in Germany, according to Curran, who shared his report Monday evening during a televised discussion on Belichick’s future.

“When they came out of Germany, conversations I had that week made it very clear that a decision was made,” Curran said on “Arbella Early Edition.” “They were going to play out the string, and at the end of the year, there would be a parting of the ways, for a variety of reasons.”

On Wednesday morning, Belichick took questions related to the report during his first press conference ahead of this weekend’s game versus the Chiefs. Was it Belichick’s understanding Kraft will not ask him to return next season?

“Yeah, I’m getting ready for Kansas City,” Belichick said. “That’s what I’m doing.”

Belichick was later asked if he wants to keep coaching.

“Yeah, I’m getting ready for Kansas City,”he said.

Belichick also deflected when asked if he had discussed his future with Kraft.

“I’m getting ready for Kansas City,” he replied.

According to Curran, Kraft has waited to part ways with Belichick partly because of his respect for the head coach’s 24-year run under his ownership. Belichick is also under contract through 2024, which could allow the team to trade him to another franchise this offseason.

“The main (reason) being, you don’t fire Bill Belichick during the season. It’s just not going to happen,” Curran said. “Additionally, though, he’s an asset. He’s under contract for another year, which we reported after NFL Media reported there was a long-term extension in place that would keep Bill locked up long-term. It’s only through next year.

“So, that would not be an impediment to them changing course.”

At 3-10, the Patriots have clinched their third losing season in four years under Belichick. By season’s end, they will have gone five straight seasons without a playoff win. Last March, Kraft said his objective was to make the postseason this year, and he hoped the Pats would improve upon what he described as a “disappointing” 2022 campaign.

Last year, Belichick’s unexpected decisions to reshape the offensive coaching staff led to the most dysfunctional season of his tenure, as detailed in a Herald report last January. The Patriots finished 8-9 and hired current offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien weeks later at Kraft’s suggestion. Under O’Brien, the Pats offense currently ranks dead last in scoring at 13 points per game and has benched starting quarterback Mac Jones four times.

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