The debate for the greatest coach in NFL history previously was contentious. Some fans often expressed that nobody can be better than Dan Shula, Bill Wash, or even Vince Lombardi. However, after winning three titles years between 2015 to 2019, and his 6th title overall, most NFL fans have acknowledged that the title should belong to William Stephen Belichick. Yes, I did that on purpose. He is known to most in the football universe as Bill Belichick. Tom Brady, Belichick, and the Patriots dominated the NFL landscape for nearly two decades. However, the greatest quarterback and coach duo decided to part ways last season. Brady took the reigns with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers helping to turn around a team that was 7-9 in 2019 and a team that never won a playoff game since 2002 to a Superbowl win. Belichick on the other hand suffered through his worst season in nearly 20 years and finished 7-9. Some critics now feel that Brady’s immediate success means he was the real key to the Patriots’ dynasty. Although his legacy as the greatest coach is cemented, this article will look at five reasons the 2021 season can define whether the magnificence of the Patriots was due to Bill or Brady.
Reason 1: Choosing the Mac Attack-Belichick made a bold decision to name Mac Jones the starting quarterback. Mac is now the true heir apparent to Tom Brady. Many analysts and fans already have made comparisons between the two based on their mental makeup, arm accuracy, and non-athleticism entering the league. If Mac delivers and is brilliant this season, then Bill will deliver a blow to the critics.
Reason 2: Cutting Newton-not only did Bill make Mac the starter for week one but he also made the shocking decision of letting Cam walk out the door. We do not know if Cam had pushed for the decision after being informed that he was not the starter. However, it appears like they did not try to convince Newton to stick around just in case. The world will never know what Cam would have done as the starter being fully healthy, with a full off-season program, more weapons, and his talent as a runner. These hypotheticals show the decision was a big call and perhaps a legacy-defining one.
Reason 3-Free Agency splash- According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Patriots spent $159.6 million in guaranteed money on free agents after the start of the 2021 league year which sets an NFL record. The Patriots acquired a potent duo in Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry. They signed two good Wide Receivers in Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne. They beefed up their pass rush by adding Kyle Van Noy and Matthew Judon. The Patriots also have their players who sat out the previous season due to Covid including Dont’a Hightower. Yes, after spending unprecedentedly, Bill will not be able to use the excuse of a low-talented team.
Reason 4-Head to Head-Make no mistake about it Bill and Tom will be desperate to win in Week 4 when the Patriots host the Buccaneers in Foxboro. They may tell the media and the fans that it is just another game but this matchup is perhaps the only time the two will go head to head against each other. If Brady wins, he will become the fourth quarterback to beat all 32 teams joining Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, and Brett Favre. If Belichick wins and the defense dominates Brady, then it would deliver another blow to the critics.
Reason 5: Superbowl win changes the narrative-last season Brady chose a team desperate for a quarterback as its missing link and took them to the championship. If they win back to back, it would be the first team to do it since you guessed it-Brady and the Patriots in the 2003-2004 seasons. It would also be Tom’s 8th title, a ridiculous amount in modern professional sports. It would certainly end the discussion and prove that the Patriots’ success was due to Brady. However, if Belichick can help spark Mac Jones to a Superbowl, he would be the first rookie quarterback to do so. The unprecedented feat would match Brady’s record of leading the Bucs to the first home team victory in Superbowl history and restore the narrative where it belongs that it is really a 50-50 split decision.
