Belichick: I’ll coach Pats next season
Bill Belichick saidMonday that it is ‘‘ absolutely’’ his intention to return as the Patriots’ coach next season, despite reports of turmoil in the franchise involving him, quarterback Tom Brady and owner Robert Kraft.
Belichick said he didn’t have anything to add to a joint statement the three men released last week in response to an ESPN report that detailed an array of tension.
‘‘ Nothing has happened since then, so I don’t have anything to add to it,’’ he said.
The ESPN story highlighted purported disputes concerning Brady’s personal body coach, AlexGuerrero, in player- medical affairs. Also mentioned was a supposed difference of opinion between Kraft and Belichick about the decision to trade former backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to the 49ers.
† Interim general manager Marty Hurney said the Panthers handled the medical treatment of quarterback Cam Newton ‘‘ the right way’’ during a playoff loss Sunday to the Saints.
The NFL and NFL Players Association said they plan to conduct a joint review to determine whether the Panthers followed the correct concussion protocol after Newton took a hard shot from Saints defensive tackle David Onyemata midway through the fourth quarter. Newton spent time on the ground after the hit, then appeared to stumble as he walked toward the sideline, but he missed only one play.
If the concussion protocol wasn’t properly followed, the Panthers will be subject to discipline.