Bill Belichick finally said something interesting.
Belichick, known as much for his succinct and intentionally non-committal answers in press conferences as he is for his six Super Bowl championships, announced Thursday that he is parting ways with the Patriots after 24 seasons as head coach and CEO. He left behind some short but kind words.
“For me, today is a day of gratitude and celebration,” Belichick said, thanking owner Robert Kraft and his family, assistant coaches and more than 1,000 players. “We had a vision to build a winning team here, to build a championship football team. It exceeds the amount of success we could have achieved together.”
Belichick actually began with a rare joke, referencing the media circus that followed former quarterback Tim Tebow everywhere from the University of Florida to the Broncos to the Jets and Patriots in 2013.
“I've never seen so many cameras since I signed Tebow,” Belichick joked.
Neither Belichick nor Kraft took questions from reporters, but Kraft indicated Belichick would continue coaching elsewhere in the NFL.
What we know about the Patriots and Bill Belichick's split
The Patriots and Bill Belichick will reportedly part ways on Thursday after 24 years and six Super Bowl championships.
Rumors have been circulating all season about Belichick's future, as the Patriots finished 4-13 and missed the playoffs for the third time in four seasons. Belichick met with Patriots owner Robert Kraft over the past few days and subsequently reached a mutual decision.
Belichick has a career record of 266-121 with the Patriots, including 31 wins in the playoffs.
The 71-year-old has no plans to retire and needs just 15 more wins to match Don Shula's all-time regular season and playoff wins record by a head coach in NFL history.
According to ESPN, the Falcons are Belichick's most likely suitor after firing Arthur Smith at the end of the season.
Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo is considering Mike Vrabel, who was fired by the Titans, as the likely replacement for Belichick, and that's a possibility. Other players with past ties to the Patriots could also be considered, including Brian Flores and Josh McDaniel.
“I'll always be a Patriot,” Belichick said. “I look forward to being back here, but for now I am going to move on. I am always very grateful for everything you have done for me.”
Belichick's 302 regular season wins (266 of them with the Patriots) are second only to Don Shula and George Halas. His 31 playoff wins (30 of them with the Patriots) are the most in history.
“The fans here are great,” Belichick said, his voice shaking. “I have so many memories. The send-offs, the parades, Sundays… meeting fans at gas stations and grocery stores away from here, or wherever we met, letters of support.”
