Amid the furor caused by the ESPN story that revealed an alleged rift within the New England Patriots, a long-time NFL reporter/analyst/insider said Bill Belichick will return as head coach next season. Adam Schefter of ESPN told Kirk & Callahan that it’s hard to envision life in New England without Belichick as head coach of the Patriots, saying that it's his guess that the long-time coach will be back next season. However, Schefter said Belichick will have to sit down with team owner Robert Kraft and long-time quarterback Tom Brady to sort things that need to be ironed out before anything is finalized.

Belichick has been the Patriots' head coach since 2000, leading the team to five Super Bowl titles with Brady as his starting quarterback.

Schefter said ESPN’s story not a ‘hit job’

In a story authored by Seth Wickersham, ESPN revealed a rift and a power struggle between Kraft, Brady and Belichick. The article highlighted Belichick’s feud with Alex Guerrero, Brady’s trainer and close friend. Also, Wickersham said Kraft forced Belichick to trade backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo after Brady expressed interest in playing into his mid-40s. Belichick didn’t want to trade Garoppolo, as he saw him as the team’s future starting quarterback. However, upon orders from Kraft, Belichick shipped Garoppolo to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2018 second-round pick.

Schefter downplayed Wickersham’s article, which was earlier dubbed a “hit job." Schefter said the story only provided a glimpse of one of the most impressive dynasties in NFL history that the public rarely sees. However, Schefter said the article sent a signal that the Patriots' dynasty is about to come to an end. It was Schefter who broke the story about the rift between Belichick and Guerrero.

It was later revealed that Belichick stripped Guerrero of some privileges, including boarding team flights and staying on the sidelines during games. Matt Burke of Metro said Belichick could accept the head coaching job with the New York Giants if the feud boiis over and affects his relationship with Brady.

Brady’s sister speaks about ESPN report

Brady’s older sister, Nancy, shared her view about the ESPN’s story where her brother was put in a negative light. Per a tweet by Kirk and Callahan of WEEI.com, Nancy posted on Facebook, saying: “lions don’t lose sleep over the opinions of sheep," obviously referring to the ESPN article.
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