Belichick downplays curtain call as Pats wrap woeful year

New England Patriots coach might be unsure what the future holds, but he realizes now certainly isn’t the time to get sentimental.

Belichick has patrolled the New England sideline for the past 24 seasons, but doubts have doubled that he’ll return for a 25th as the Patriots prepare to face the New York Jets on

Sunday afternoon in Foxborough, Mass.

NFL Network reported last Sunday that Patriots owner Robert Kraft has yet to speak with Belichick about a potential return in 2024. Belichick getting fired is unlikely, but a mutual decision to part ways is still a possibility, per the report. The tandem that makes up the Patriots’ power center met two days after the season last January, when Belichick

emerged to make changes to his coaching staff.

This might not be the offseason Kraft opts to change course. Belichick (333 victories) plans on coaching next season as he chases Miami legend Don Shula (347) for the all-time wins record, raising the question of whether he can find the right fit elsewhere.

For now, Belichick maintains he’s only focused on beating New York (6-10).

“I’ll deal with that some other time,” Belichick said of reflecting on his time with the Patriots. “Right now, I’ll just try to get the team ready for the Jets.”

ELSEWHERE

Titans: Ryan

Veteran Tannehill will start at quarterback for Tennessee in Sunday’s regular-season finale, coach Mike Vrabel said.

Tannehill draws the start against the Jacksonville Jaguars due to Will Levis dealing with an injured right foot.

It will be Tannehill’s 63rd start for Tennessee (5-11) over the past five seasons. Only seven of them have occurred this season as he lost the starting gig to Levis in late October.

“He’s handled [things] with class,” Vrabel said of Tannehill. “You can be disappointed, but also still be supportive and be about the team.”

Tannehill has completed 64.7 percent of his passes for 1,448 yards, with just two touchdown throws and six interceptions in nine appearances this season. Overall, he has compiled 34,713 passing yards, 214 touchdowns and 114 interceptions in 11 NFL seasons with the Miami Dolphins (2012-18) and Tennessee (2019-23).