Burning Patriots questions: Is Bill Belichick on the hot seat?
FOXBORO -- There are a lot of wild and crazy topics that get discussed on the airwaves when it comes to Boston sports. They have a lot of minutes to fill and the Patriots don't always give storylines away for free.
One topic that has caught a little more steam over the last few years and is as warm as the Atlantic Ocean heading into the new season is the job security of one Bill Belichick. Yes, people are wondering if Belichick is indeed feeling the heat a bit, or as it's commonly known, sitting on the "hot seat."
Robert Kraft has made it clear that he doesn't just want a return to the playoffs, but postseason wins as well. That's not something the Patriots have given the owner since winning Super Bowl LIII in 2019, and with the toughest schedule in the NFL this season, it may not be something the team gives him in 2023.
If the season ends in disappointment again, could that spell the end of Bill Belichick in New England? Or is this hot seat mumbo jumbo just Boston sports talk at its finest?
Steve Burton, WBZ-TV Sports
Maybe Bill Belichick's seat is a little warmer than usual. This team needs to improve a lot over last season.
Dan Roche, WBZ-TV Sports
I don't think so. It's hard to believe that Robert Kraft would say good bye to Bill. Only way I could see a change is if Bill decides he's done.
Michael Hurley, WBZ.com Sports
Nope. Bill is in charge of the football operation. Robert Kraft makes offseason proclamations from time to time, saying he needs to see a playoff win and wants to see a championship. But if the past three years of mediocrity didn't lead to a major change, what's one more?
Matthew Geagan, WBZ.com Sports
Maybe his proverbial seat it's slightly warmer than years past given the team's overall lack of success since Tom Brady left the building, but it's hard to imagine Robert Kraft giving Belichick the axe.
Things would have to go really, really, really bad (I'm talking 1-16 bad) for Belichick to get fired after this season. As long as Mac Jones shows progress, the defense continues to be solid, and the Patriots look competitive for a good chunk of the season, Belichick will be back to chase down Don Shula's record next season.
Tune in to Sunday's Patriots-Eagles game on WBZ-TV -- your television home of the New England Patriots. Coverage begins Wednesday night with Patriots 1st Down at 9:30 p.m. on TV38 and continues Friday night with Patriots All Access at 7 p.m. on WBZ-TV. We kick things off Sunday morning with Patriots GameDay at 11:30 a.m., Pats-Eagles is set for 4:25 p.m., and get full reaction and analysis after the game on Patriots 5th Quarter on TV38.