Welcome to NFL Black Monday
The GIST: While playoff contenders look ahead to next weekend’s postseason kick off, the next few days will likely be focused on the teams who didn’t make the cut. Today is known as “Black Monday,” when eliminated squads often cut ties with their head coaches (HC).
- And this year, two legends of the game are on the hot seat:
New England Patriots HC Bill Belichick: The winningest active HC, Belichick is reportedly on his way out after a dynastic 24 seasons in New England. Belichick made nine Super Bowl appearances with the Pats, winning six of them (both records) but has suffered a brutal fall from grace, going a dismal 4-13 this season, his worst-ever showing as an HC.
- True to form, Belichick has remained tight-lipped about his future, but he did confirm he’s scheduled to meet with Patriots ownership as early as today. Dun, dun, dun…
Washington Commanders HC Ron Rivera: Rivera was twice named NFL Coach of the Year (2013 and 2015) but never quite re-found that form after taking over as Washington’s HC in 2020. “Riverboat Ron” notably led the Commanders through a tumultuous culture change in that first year at the helm but has struggled with QB management over the last few seasons. Now it’s almost certainly time for a changing of the guard.
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