"Greatest football mind to ever live," Players past and present react to Bill Belichick leaving the Patriots
FOXBORO -- While the end of Bill Belichick's run in New England has been expected for the last several weeks, news of the Patriots and the head coach parting ways on Thursday morning sent shockwaves throughout the football world.
While Belichick's 24 years in New England did not end well, no one will ever match what he accomplished with the Patriots over the last two decades. Along with Tom Brady, he turned the Patriots into a dynasty and brought six Super Bowl championships to Foxboro, with a whole lot of wins along the way.
While he was often gruff and a bit rough around the edges with reporters, that is now how he was with his players. He was a tough coach to play for, for sure, but his players loved to play for Bill Belichick. He got the best out of nearly everyone that played for him, and the players appreciated his all-in approach to everything Patriots football.
Just look at Tedy Bruschi's comments on ESPN's Get Up! after the news broke Thursday morning.
After the news broke Thursday morning, several of Belichick's players in New England (both from last season and way back when) took to social media to reflect on Belichick's incredible run in New England and what it meant to the NFL.
Former Patriots react to Bill Belichick's departure from the Patriots
Tom Brady
The former Patriots quarterback shared a post on Instagram, saying he's "incredibly grateful to have played for the best coach in the history of the NFL." He added, in part, "I could never have been the player I was without you Coach Belichick."
Rob Gronkowski
The former Patriots tight end posted a message of thanks to Belichick on X, saying it was an honor to be on his team. "From taking a chance drafting me is the very beginning to teaching and showing me the way on the field, I wouldn't change a thing!"
Richard Seymour
Belichick drafted Richard Seymour sixth overall, and Big Sey was an absolute menace on the New England defensive line for eight seasons. He won three Super Bowls in that time, and was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2022. He may have clashed with Belichick during his time in New England, which eventually resulted in his trade to the Raiders, but Seymour's love for his former head coach never dissipated.
Seymour called Belichick "the greatest football mind to ever live" and included a goat emoji in a post to X on Thursday.
Jason McCourty
After suffering through an 0-16 season with the Cleveland Browns, Belichick rescued Jason McCourty and brought him to New England in 2018, pairing him with his twin brother, Devin, in the Patriots secondary.
In his first season with the Pats, McCourty finally got to enjoy a winning season, which culminated with New England's Super Bowl LIII victory over the Los Angeles Rams.
On Thursday, McCourty shared a picture of him and Belichick returning to Foxboro with the Lombardi Trophy on X:
Patrick Chung
Belichick drafted Chung in 2009 and then brought him back in 2014 after the safety spent a season in Philadelphia. Chung won three Super Bowls over his 10 seasons with the Patriots, and thanked Belichick for "everything" on Thursday:
Rex Burkhead
Former Patriots running back Rex Burkhead, who spent four seasons in New England and won a Super Bowl with the team in 2018, also thanked his former head coach and called him the "greatest to ever do it" on Thursday.
Matt Chatham
We all know that Belichick loves special teams players. Matt Chatham joined the Patriots when Belichick arrived in 2000, and was a fixed on the team's special teams unit through its first three Super Bowl victories.
"We're all better here for having Bill as mentor & teacher," Chatham posted on X Thursday.
Julian Edelman
The former wide receiver shared a video on X with the caption, "Wouldn't change a thing coach."
Current Patriots react to Bill Belichick's departure from the Patriots
Quarterback Mac Jones had nothing but great things to say about Belichick in an Instagram post on Thursday night.
"Coach Belichick has made such a big impact on my life. I grew up dreaming of playing in the NFL and that dream grew even stronger after I watched Coach Belichick and the Patriots win the Super Bowl in my hometown," Jones wrote. "My dream to play in the NFL came true when I was drafted to the Patriots organization and I am grateful to have played for and learned from such a legendary coach. Coach Belichick has impacted me and so many other players in immeasurable ways. I wish Coach Belichick and his family continued success in the future."
Davon Godchaux, whom Belichick called one of the best defensive tackles in the league last season, called his former head coach the "greatest" early Thursday morning.
Linebacker Mack Wilson, who has been with the Patriots the last two seasons, doesn't seem very thrilled that someone else will be on the New England sideline next season.
This post will be updated as more players -- past and present -- react to Thursday's news.
