Head coach Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots reached a mutual agreement to part ways after 24 seasons, marking the conclusion of one of the most iconic partnerships in NFL history.
Let's look at the most memorable moments of the 71-year-old coach with the Foxborough-based squad.
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5 Most Memorable Moments of Bill Belichick's Patriots Coaching Career
1. Benching Drew Bledsoe for Tom Brady
In 2001, it was not as evident as today that Brady would evolve into the greatest quarterback of all time.
The Patriots' starting quarterback at the time, Drew Bledsoe, had an impressive resume, having earned three Pro Bowl selections and leading the league in passing yards once after being drafted as the first overall pick by the team in 1993.
However, Bledsoe suffered a near-fatal concussion that opened the door for Brady to showcase his skills. Even as Bledsoe recovered during the same season and clamors began for his return to the field, Belichick stood his ground.
Brady had already guided the Patriots to a playoff appearance, solidifying his position as the permanent starter. Eventually, Bledsoe was traded to the Buffalo Bills, and Brady and Belichick's remarkable journey began.
2. First-ever Super Bowl win
After Brady took over as the team's starter in 2001, the Patriots embarked on a deep playoff run, culminating in a stunning win against the heavily favored St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI, which still stands as the biggest Super Bowl upset since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.
This victory marked a watershed moment in NFL history, signaling the beginning of the most iconic dynasty of the 21st century.
3. Undefeated regular season
Regarded as one of the greatest teams in NFL history, the 2007 Patriots achieved an undefeated 16-0 regular season. Brady earned his first NFL MVP with a then-record-setting 50 passing touchdowns, while newly acquired All-Pro wide receiver Randy Moss established an NFL record with 23 receiving touchdowns.
The Patriots became the first team with a perfect regular season since the NFL expanded to sixteen games in 1978, and they broke the record for most wins in a season, breaking the previous record held by multiple teams who each had a 15-1 record.
However, they could not finish the ultimate job as they lost Super Bowl XLII, 17-14, to Eli Manning and the New York Giants in one of the biggest upsets in professional sports history.
4. Greatest comeback in Super Bowl history
During Super Bowl LI at the end of the 2016 season, the Patriots found themselves trailing 28-3 to the Atlanta Falcons in the third quarter.
Despite this 28-3 deficit, they staged a remarkable comeback in the second half, forcing overtime and ultimately emerging victorious with a 34-28 score in one of the greatest moments in NFL history.
Brady and Belichick secured their fifth Super Bowl ring with the win, and the latter became the winningest coach in Super Bowl history.
5. Extending his legacy
In a twist of fate, Bill Belichick secured his final ring with New England at Super Bowl LIII in 2019, facing the Rams, the same team he defeated for his first Super Bowl victory. Notably, the Rams had relocated to Los Angeles by this time.
The game played out with a low-scoring nature, featuring offensive struggles from both teams. However, the defensive performances showcased excellence, ultimately leading to the Patriots' 13-3 victory.
This win further extended Belichick's record as the coach with the most Super Bowl victories at six.
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