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What could Patriots fetch in a Belichick trade? NFL execs weigh in originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
If Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots want to part on somewhat friendly terms this offseason, there’s one scenario that might make sense for both parties: a trade.
NFL coaching trades are rare but not uncommon. And with Belichick under contract through 2024 (per our Tom E. Curran), a trade of the legendary head coach could allow the Patriots to hit the reset button after a disastrous 2023 campaign while giving Belichick the chance to pursue Don Shula’s all-time coaching wins record with a new franchise.
But will there actually be a market for a 71-year-old coach whose team is the worst in the AFC thanks to a talent-devoid roster he helped construct? In short: Probably.
The Athletic’s Jeff Howe polled several NFL officials and found three “high-ranking executives from rival teams” who believe Belichick could fetch “as much as a first-round draft pick” in a trade. While other execs were skeptical of that price tag — “I’ve got a lot of questions with those recent roster moves,” one executive told Howe — most believed there will be at least some competition for Belichick’s services this offseason, which would obviously benefit the Patriots.
“It only takes one owner, so (the Patriots) should be able to trade him,” one exec told Howe. “If any team is interested, I would think New England would get a first-round pick.”
While Belichick’s recent track record leaves plenty to be desired — his Patriots are 27-35 and 0-1 in the postseason since Tom Brady’s departure in 2020 — he’d still provide an instant credibility boost to a struggling franchise thanks to his incredible resume. There’s also precedent here: The Denver Broncos sent the New Orleans Saints a first-round pick for Sean Payton earlier this year, while Jon Gruden, Bill Parcells and even Belichick himself have been acquired for at least a first-round pick this century.
Netting a first-round…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/could-patriots-fetch-belichick-trade-155544744.html
Author : NBC Sports Boston
Publish date : 2023-12-07 16:01:56
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