Bill Belichick Is 'On The Hot Seat' In 2023, Insider Says

New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick is reportedly "on the hot seat" heading into the 2023 NFL season, according to longtime team beat writer Tom E. Curran of NBC Sports Boston.

“He’s on the hot seat, and he’s been there on different levels of warmth since 2019,” Curran said during an appearance on the Rich Eisen Show on Monday (July 17).

Belichick, 71, who has an NFL record six Super Bowl championships, missed the playoffs for the second time in the past three seasons since longtime former quarterback Tom Brady's departure ahead of the 2020 season. The Patriots had previously made the playoffs during 17 of 19 seasons, which included 11 consecutive AFC East Division titles and a total of 16 during that span.

“Look at this way. In 2019, Tom Brady wanted a two-year $50 million guaranteed contract just like [then-New Orleans Saints quarterback] Drew Brees had. He presumed he was gonna get that,” Curran added. “In training camp it was still not forthcoming, and he was like, ‘You know what, if I don’t get this thing, I’m walking out.’ It was explained to Belichick that was the case. They got something done. It was not a two-year guaranteed contract. It was two years with a team option.”

Last week, the Boston Globe's Ben Volin reported that team owner Robert Kraft was getting anxious about the team's recent lack of success.

“Robert Kraft already made it clear in March that he wants the Patriots to make the postseason and win a playoff game for the first time in five years,” Volin wrote.