After 24 years and six titles, Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft wanted to end things in a civil manner.
The legendary head coach and the Patriots owner “took the high road” in discussing how to end their historic partnership together, according to ESPN.
They agreed on a mutual parting Thursday, per NFL Network, with a formal announcement coming during their scheduled press conference Thursday.
The two met earlier this week to discuss the future, and sources told ESPN there was “no conflict, no disagreement.”
Belichick and Kraft ultimately agreed on a “mutual decision that left both sides comfortable and at ease,” according to ESPN.
Robert Kraft (l), Bill Belichick (c) and Jon Bon Jovi (r). AP
Bill Belichick (l) and Robert Kraft (r) after winning the AFC Championship Game in 2008. REUTERSThose details included Belichick being let out of his contract with one year remaining, per the report, since he still would like to coach.
While Belichick and Kraft have reportedly had their differences during their successful union, it’s clear that both sides didn’t want to end things on a poor note.
Follow the Post’s coverage on Bill Belichick’s Patriots exit
Owners and coaches will butt heads over time, but the Belichick-Kraft combination – with a lot of help from Tom Brady – produced one of the greatest – if not the greatest – dynasties in sports history.
Belichick went 266-121 in his 24 seasons in New England, along with a 30-12 playoff record.
He led the Patriots to nine Super Bowl appearances, with their last title coming following the 2018 season when they defeated the Rams.
Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft during happier times. APNew England has not won a playoff game since that Super Bowl title.
Since Brady’s departure in 2020, the Patriots have become just another team.
Belichick went 29-38 in his four seasons without Brady, including the worst year of his career this past season when the Patriots finished 4-13.
What we know about the split between the Patriots and Bill Belichick
The Patriots and Bill Belichick will reportedly part ways on Thursday after 24 years and six Super Bowl wins.
Rumors had swirled around Belichick’s future all season as the Patriots finished with a 4-13 record and missed the playoffs for the third time in four seasons. Belichick met with Patriots owner Robert Kraft over the past several days before reaching the mutual decision.
Belichick notched a 266-121 overall record with the Patriots and has another 31 playoff victories.
The 71-year-old has no plans to retire, and needs just 15 more wins to match Don Shula’s all-time wins record — regular season and playoffs — by a head coach in NFL history.
Patriots inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo — who was the heir apparent — has taken over the job and become the next New England head coach.
With the Patriots now in position to potentially draft a franchise quarterback with the third pick in the upcoming draft, Kraft and Belichick decided to start fresh.
The two reportedly had butted heads at times over power and roster decisions – notably how to handle the Brady succession plan, which ultimately backfired as Mac Jones didn’t pan out.
Now, Belichick will attempt to chase Don Shula’s coaching record in a new city and Kraft has the unenviable task of trying to replace arguably the greatest coach in NFL history.
