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Analysis: If his time with Patriots is up, Bill Belichick deserves another NFL opportunity (if he wants it)

AP photo by Michael Dwyer / New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick faces reporters during a news conference after the team's home loss to the Washington Commanders last Sunday.
AP photo by Michael Dwyer / New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick faces reporters during a news conference after the team's home loss to the Washington Commanders last Sunday. AP photo by Michael Dwyer / New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick faces reporters during a news conference after the team's home loss to the Washington Commanders last Sunday.

By ROB MAADDI / The Associated Press 5 min read

Bill Belichick has won six Super Bowls as a head coach and more games than everyone in NFL history except Don Shula.

That won’t save his job in New England if the Patriots keep losing.

Belichick’s future is a hot topic as the Patriots (2-7) prepare to play the Indianapolis Colts (4-5) on Sunday in Frankfurt, the second of two NFL games being held in Germany this season. There even was speculation this week that Belichick could be fired if New England loses to Indianapolis.

Belichick presided over an unprecedented two-decade run of excellence, but the Patriots have steadily declined since quarterback Tom Brady departed after the 2019 season. New England’s dismal start this year is the franchise’s worst since Belichick’s first season with the team in 2000.

Since Brady left, the Patriots are 27-33, including a playoff loss. In 24 seasons as a head coach with New England and five previously with the Cleveland Browns, Belichick is 82-97 in games Brady hasn’t started.