Patriots' owner Robert Kraft declined to speak about Bill Belichick's future over the weekendGetty Images
Several events over the weekend took place “that intensified the discussion” around Patriots coach Bill Belichick’s future with the team, according to Ben Volin of the BOSTON GLOBE. Volin wrote "most poignantly," they “were eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday,” the first team to do so this season. This is “unusual territory” for owner Robert Kraft and the Patriots are missing the playoffs “for just the sixth time in Belichick’s 24 seasons as coach.” Kraft has “kept his intentions with Belichick close to the vest,” however, making few media appearances this season and “declining to give any hints about the future of his coach and his franchise.” But the “buzz inside the NFL is almost everyone believes Belichick will be fired after his 24th season.” While joining ESPN’s “College GameDay” before the Army-Navy Game Pat McAfee said, “I don’t envy your position, what’s about to happen.” He added, “We all know. We don’t have to ask.” Kraft didn’t answer. Volin wrote “many internet sleuths declared that Kraft’s silence spoke volumes.” If Kraft “was blindsided” by McAfee’s statement, then he "was bailed out by ESPN host Rece Davis, who quickly threw to commercial.” The season “has gone so poorly that, at minimum,” Kraft should “take some time to evaluate before making any decisions on Belichick.” Appearing as the celebrity picker for “College GameDay,” Belichick “was charismatic, informative, and even playful.” Belichick “was everything he is not during his weekly news conferences.” Volin: “Why the sudden show of personality?” According to one source close to the Patriots, Belichick “was auditioning for his next job” (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/11).
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