Curran, Perry share latest details on Belichick’s reported extension

Curran, Perry share latest details on Belichick’s reported extension originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

As the New England Patriots’ season has progressively worsened week after week, the future of head coach Bill Belichick has become a focal point. With a 1-5 record, the team is experiencing its worst start since 1995. Although the post-Tom Brady era has shown some promise in 2021, this year’s performance, especially on offense, has been concerning.

Given the circumstances of the 2023 season, it’s natural to question whether Belichick will continue as the Patriots’ coach next year. That’s why it was intriguing when NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Sunday that Belichick had signed a lucrative and multi-year extension last offseason.

However, obtaining specific details about Belichick’s extension or any of his previous contracts with the Patriots has proven to be quite challenging. Insight from our insiders, Tom E. Curran and Phil Perry, during NBC Sports Boston’s Pregame Live shed some light on what they’ve gathered regarding Belichick’s reported extension.

“According to Ian Rapoport, the extension is both lucrative and multi-year. It’s no surprise that it’s lucrative, considering it’s Bill Belichick we’re talking about. As for the multi-year aspect, it could simply mean that the extension covers 2023 and 2024, for instance. This timeline could align with Jerod Mayo’s potential future as a head coach,” stated Curran.

Curran later mentioned that Mayo had signed a two-year extension as a linebackers coach at the end of the previous year. Robert Kraft himself acknowledged the possibility of Mayo becoming a head coach, perhaps even for the Patriots. Thus, it would be unexpected if Belichick’s lucrative extension extends beyond 2024. The reason behind this report and its implications for the future are what truly pique Curran’s interest.

According to Perry, only three people are privy to the details of Belichick’s contract: Belichick himself, Robert Kraft, and Jonathan Kraft. Perry even inquired about whether Neil Cornrich was still Belichick’s agent, only to discover that Cornrich plays more of an advisory role than a traditional agent. For some time now, Belichick has been handling his own contract negotiations, resulting in a very exclusive circle of knowledge.

The timing of this report is particularly intriguing. Could it be possible that Belichick purposely wanted this information released? If so, what could be his motive?

“If this report came from Belichick, it would be fascinating. It could be seen as a last resort attempt to rally the team, front office, and locker room together, saying ‘I’m here for the long haul.’ Despite our record, let’s all commit to our goals,” suggested Perry.

One crucial question arises from this extension: would it deter Robert and Jonathan Kraft from parting ways with Belichick if the 2023 season continues to spiral downward?

“I don’t think this extension would prevent the Krafts from making the difficult decision to move on from Bill Belichick if his performance doesn’t meet expectations,” stated Curran confidently. He reiterated that Robert Kraft has previously made statements regarding his willingness to consider a different direction if Belichick’s performance falls short. The financial implications of an extended contract into 2024 would not dissuade them if the lack of hope for the team persists.

As a major storyline for the Patriots, Belichick’s future is unlikely to fade away, and this report of his extension only adds more intrigue to the conversation.