‘I’ll always be a Patriot’: Bill Belichick leaves New England Patriots after 24 years
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (WLNE) — “I’ll always be a Patriot,” Bill Belichick said to media at Gillette Stadium, where he led the New England Patriots for 24 years.
Belichick and the Patriots organization announced Thursday that they mutually agreed to part ways.
The announcement was expected by many, but still came as a shock to New England.
Team greats Tom Brady and Julian Edelman wrote tributes to Belichick on social media, calling him the greatest of all time.
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New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick speaks at Gillette Stadium following the announcement that he is leaving after a mutual agreement, Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. (WLNE)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick speaks at Gillette Stadium following the announcement that he is leaving after a mutual agreement, Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. (WLNE)
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New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and team owner Robert Kraft speak at Gillette Stadium following the announcement that he is leaving after a mutual agreement, Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. (WLNE)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and team owner Robert Kraft speak at Gillette Stadium following the announcement that he is leaving after a mutual agreement, Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. (WLNE)
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New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick speaks at Gillette Stadium following the announcement that he is leaving after a mutual agreement, Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. (WLNE)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick speaks at Gillette Stadium following the announcement that he is leaving after a mutual agreement, Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024. (WLNE)
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New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick watches from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
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This is a file image of New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and former quarterback Tom Brady. (AP)
This is a file image of New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and former quarterback Tom Brady. (AP)
Many fans felt the same way and told ABC 6 News that seeing Belichick move on truly marked the end of an era.
Belichick led the team to six Super Bowl championships. He won eight overall — the highest of any individual coach in NFL history.
Belichick also earned nine AFC titles, 17 AFC East division titles and 292 wins overall as head coach.
It’s unclear who will take Belichick’s place, but fans are eyeing either Jerod Mayo, former Patriots player who has served as a linebackers coach since 2019, or Mike Vrabel, who was recently fired as coach of the Tennessee Titans.
