9 Patriots share Belichick’s impact on their NFL careers
Next weekend, Bill Belichick might coach his final game for the Patriots.
Speculation over his future has dominated much of the team’s 4-11 season to date, fueled by reporting that ownership decided it would part ways during a mid-November bye week. Belichick’s contract reportedly runs only through next season. He owns a 29-26 record over the last four seasons and hasn’t clinched a playoff year in five.
Of course, Belichick’s legacy as the greatest coach of all time still remains intact. A record Super Bowl rings as a head coach cemented that long ago, though his impact runs even deeper in Foxboro. Speaking to that, nine players spoke with the Herald this week about what Belichick has meant to them during their time in New England.
Author’s note: The following answers have been edited for brevity and clarity.
CB Jonathan Jones
Eighth season in New England, originally signed as an undrafted rookie in 2016
“Just a model of consistency. You can’t find a guy who’s been as even-keeled through adversity; highs, lows, good, bad. Like I’ve seen, the passing of his mother, other personal life things I believe he’s gone through, and he’s been the same person no matter what the adversity was. You just admire people like that.
“I know me personally, I always look up to people who are that consistent. I try to be as consistent as I can because I think that leads to productivity. A lot of (players) get free time in the offseason, and don’t get a lot accomplished. But you add that routine and discipline, you can accomplish a lot. Like him.”
OLB Josh Uche
Fourth season in New England, drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL
Draft
“The discipline and structure I try to bring to my family right now. I’d say toughness, too. It’s a lot. Who I am right now really stems from the last four years being here. And this being a tough year, I learn just seeing Bill be able to come in and keep the guys level-headed. And it’s interesting because I try to compare football to life a lot.
“Going through as much adversity and difficulties as we have, you learn how to overcome those. You’ve got to keep going. No soft (expletive). I know a lot of people are scared to play here. A lot of people are scared to go through the discipline that Bill demands of his players, but I think you become a better man for it, not just a football player.
“I think some of the lessons I’ve learned I’m definitely gonna pass on to my kids, for sure. Discipline, structure, routine, accountability, mental toughness.”
QB Bailey Zappe
Second season in New England, drafted in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft
“My dream came true because he drafted me, so I’m always gonna have a certain feeling toward him, no matter what happens in the future. And then of course, it’s just the mentorship that he’s been able to give to us, and all the meetings that we have with him just picking his brain. Learning from him is something that I will carry on for however many years I have.
“And honestly before I got here, the only thing I ever saw was his media side. So when I got here, I’m like, he might be stand-off-ish, I don’t want to do something wrong or say the wrong thing to him. And then come to find out, he’s like the most open person. You could walk into his office and talk to him
about anything you want, whether it’s on the field or off the field.”
DL Deatrich Wise
Seventh season in New England, drafted in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft
“He taught me a lot about controlling your emotions in high-stake areas. What to think in different situations and some things that come up during the game or in media or in life. Just your poise within in all situations. So whatever comes out, is what you wanted to come out. Not to be too rattled by an outside force. Granted, besides talking to refs, he’s very poised (laughs).
“Just when those around you are chaotic, how he brings everybody together to get back on track. He’s very logical with his delivery, so just a different perspective in how he operates.
ST Matthew Slater
16th season in New England, drafted in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft
“The way my college career went, I didn’t know what my prospects of playing in the league looked like. So the fact that he took a chance on me, and kept me around early in my career where maybe a lot of the coaches wouldn’t have seen something in me, and has afforded me the opportunity to do this for as long as I have, I’m very grateful. You know, I feel like I owe him to an extent, and so I’ll always be forever grateful to him for that.
“In terms of football, I have a great appreciation for the history of the game and the prominent figures. And I think he’s certainly one of those figures. And I think he’s contributed so much in terms of the history of this game. We haven’t seen a coach like him. And I think what he’s done to not only elevate this place, but elevate football in general should be honored, respected and appreciated. And I hope that the people around here — and I suppose I mean, the people in New England, the people in the NFL certainly — appreciate what he’s done.
“In the early portion of my career, I kind of looked at him like this figure that you can see, but you can’t touch. And we didn’t really have much interaction or much of a relationship. The latter portion of my career, we’ve had an opportunity to have meaningful conversations about the team, about football, about life and share different perspectives with one another. And you always appreciate that.
“We’re humans, and to be able to have a human experience with someone that many people view as like this cyborg figure is certainly something that I appreciate. I’m thankful, and I’m glad that I’ve gotten the chance to experience this part of our relationship.”
TE Mike Gesicki
First season in New England, originally signed as a free agent in March 2023
“I feel like I’ve seen it from both perspectives. Going against him, you’re gonna have to expect the unexpected. Because he’s thinking two steps ahead already. And you have to be prepared for that. And you’re gonna have to be able to make adjustments on the fly. And then as your own head coach, then I think it’s been cool — without sounding like a fan of the game — to get coached by the greatest coach to ever do it.
“He’s made some predictions this year where he’ll stand up in front of the team on Friday, and then we’ll come back on Monday and that’s exactly what happened. He’ll mention a couple guys who maybe play a little past the whistle and say, ‘Don’t get involved with this guy.’ Then Sunday comes, and that guy gets a flag, and then we’ll get on the sideline and be like, ‘Good. We talked about it, and knew this was the guy that wanted to get someone. But we didn’t fall for it.’
“And the emphasis he puts on situational football and the minor details of the game, talking about things that you don’t really hear from a lot of other coaches.”
OL James Ferentz
Seventh season in New England, originally signed as a free agent in 2017
“The more and more I’m around him, the more I see how much of a student he is, which is unique for somebody who’s had as much success as he’s had. If a new theory comes to him, he doesn’t reject it. He’s a very studious guy. He’s always learning about things.
“I think to remind myself of never losing sight of being a student when I get older. Even now, when something new comes to me and I resist it, I say, ‘Well, am I resisting it because I don’t like it? Or because I just don’t know it? Because there’s a difference. And if I don’t understand it right away, it’s easy to reject it.
“Unknowns are scary. That’s the impressive thing about him is, if he doesn’t know (something), he finds someone who does and has them teach it to him.”
DL Davon Godchaux
Third season in New England, originally signed as a free agent in 2021
“Just accountability. He’s holding guys accountable and to a high standard, and (he) expects a lot out of you. He’s got you in there for a reason, to dominate. So it’s just being accountable. And he’s one of the coaches in the league that’s gonna hold you to a higher standard and is gonna give you positive criticism day in and day out.”
RB Ezekiel Elliott
First season in New England, originally signed as a free agent in August 2023
“A constant reminder of what the standards are. A constant reminder of how much work, what this job takes and what it means.”
“If you practiced against him, you got better or you got embarrassed.” — Bill Belichick on Rodney Harrison, who was recently named a Hall of Fame finalist