Patch Patriots Roundup: Is Bill Belichick On The Hot Seat?

FOXBOROUGH, MA — To say the New England Patriots season has been unsuccessful may be putting it too lightly.

The season has in fact been going so poorly that there are increasing rumblings that head coach Bill Belichick — often revered as the greatest NFL head coach and the architect of the league's most notable dynasty — may be on the hot seat.

Now, these rumors and discussions aren't entirely new, dating back to the exit of Tom Brady from the franchise and even last year.

But with 2023 off to a measly start and with the team putting up consistent duds against the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints, the chatter is beginning to intensify.

The Athletic's Jeff Howe writes this week that those who think owner Robert Kraft wouldn't fire Belichick are wrong.

"There’s a school of thought that suggests Bill Belichick has earned the right to go out on his own accord, that the architect of the greatest dynasty in NFL history can coach in New England as long as he chooses," wrote Howe. "Kraft doesn’t subscribe to it."

Elsewhere in the world of sports media, Boston Globe columnist Dan Shaughnessy wrote that Kraft should at least address what the plan is for the team, who sits in a rather unusual spot amongst the league's bottom feeders.

The team is 1-4 this year and has been outscored in its last two games by a mark of 72-3. If ever a "get right game" were in order, it would be this week.

There are a few teams other organizations would pick to fit that description, and it's likely that one of them would be the Patriots opponent this week in the Las Vegas Raiders.

The Raiders have also found themselves on shaky footage in Head Coach — and former Belichick protege — Josh McDaniels' second year. Still, with the product the Pats have put on the field recently, and with an injured secondary going against one of the league's best receivers in Davante Adams, it won't be as easy as it may seem.

Gillette Stadium Death: 3 RI Residents Could Face Charges

Three Rhode Island residents could face criminal charges related to the death of a New Hampshire man after an altercation at Gillette Stadium during the Sept. 17 game against the Miami Dolphins.

Foxborough police officials announced Thursday that they've applied for criminal complaints alleging assault and battery and disorderly conduct against three Rhode Islanders as part of their investigation into the altercation.

Dale Mooney, a 53-year-old man from New Hampshire, was punched at the stadium during the game. He was later taken to a hospital, where he died.

However, preliminary autopsy results did not suggest traumatic injury, but did identify a medical issue.

The final cause of Mooney's death is pending further testing by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and the death remains under investigation by Foxborough and State Police assigned to the Norfolk DA’s Office.

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