A bold take about one of the greatest head coaches of all time, Bill Belichick, has taken hold of the internet. A recent ESPN article reported the reason why the former New England Patriots HC remains without a coaching job this offseason.

Slated to join the Atlanta Falcons, the report entails that it was a phone call by the Patriots owner that led to the legendary coach losing out on the spot. As the internet is currently buzzing with fact-checking and discourse about the alleged course of events, NFL analyst Pat McAfee and his crew have put forward their clear stance on the matter.

As the controversial reports started doing the rounds of the internet, the Patriots were quick to jump into action. The franchise’s spokesperson, Stacey James, clarified that the owner, Robert Kraft, denies talking to Falcons’ owner, Arthur Blank, about their former head coach with any negative connotations.

“Robert steadfastly denies saying anything negative to Arthur Blank about Bill Belichick after Robert and Bill mutually agreed to part ways,” James said, as per ESPN. “In fact, Robert advocated for Bill to get the job.”

In a recent episode of his show, McAfee sided with the franchise’s statement while discussing the much-hyped report. One of the panelists, Boston Connor, quoted the ESPN article, which mentioned how “Belichick was blindsided by news that Atlanta had hired [Raheem] Morris,” questioning the validity of the conjecture.

Connor felt that with his ample experience as the longest-serving coach in the league, it was hard to believe that the HC would be caught unaware by Atlanta’s decision. He said it’s “hard to believe that a guy that’s been in the NFL since 1975 will be blindsided by anything.” Moreover, he opines that if Belichick was indeed a part of the 14 list of candidates the team was looking through this offseason, it’s hard to fathom why the former Patriots legend wouldn’t be the obvious choice.

Finally, Connor questioned the lack of proof behind the strong statements issued for the coach’s character and his relations with the franchises. All of the discourse makes McAfee conclude, “I’m happy we’re not a part of it,” inciting “amen” from his panelists. So what is the issue with the much-talked-about report, and what have the Patriots said in response?

The controversial Bill Belichick report

ESPN dropped an article detailing some events following Belichick’s departure from the Patriots, which culminated in the HC losing out on the head coach job opportunity with the Falcons. It was reported that the Patriots’ owner, Kraft, specifically advised Blank, owner of Atlanta, to “not trust” the legendary coach, as he felt “betrayed.” According to the report’s sources, this was the major reason the Patriots kingmaker was left without a coaching job this offseason, and Blank recruited Raheem Morris instead.

Negating the ‘facts’ mentioned, Belichick’s former home franchise has spoken up against it. Taking on the factor of “trust” quoted in the report, the spokesperson acknowledged that while there might have been moments of discord between Kraft and Belichick owing to the team’s recent disappointing performance, but there was no doubting of the HC’s “character” or “trust” in the conversation with Blank.

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“It would not surprise me to learn that owners sometimes lament to those close to them when their teams are struggling,” said James, “but Robert Kraft never questioned Bill’s character or trust when talking with Arthur Blank. Trust is important to Robert. He wouldn’t have employed Coach Belichick for the past 24 years if he ever questioned his trust.”

As the Belichick saga continues, there is yet to be any concrete proof of either side of the debate. As the sources of the original report still remain in question, the Patriots have made their stance clear about the subject.