Although he’s no longer pacing the sidelines, former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick still hasn’t left his longstanding rivalry with the New York Jets behind.
Now working as an analyst on several different platforms, Belichick hasn’t shied away from harsh critiques of the Jets.
Discussing New England’s recent 25-22 victory over the Jets, a loss that dropped the Jets to 2-6 and tied them with the Patriots at the bottom of the AFC East, Belichick offered some stinging analysis.
Belichick praised several Patriots players, including quarterback Jacoby Brissett and running back Rhamondre Stevenson, for their roles in New England’s win.
However, he didn’t hold back when evaluating the Jets’ play on The Pat McAfee Show, bluntly stating that the team made “a lot of mistakes” that “ended up killing them in the end.”
His sharpest critique was aimed directly at Jets’ pass rusher Haason Reddick, who made his season debut on Sunday after a long, bizarre holdout.
According to Belichick, Reddick’s performance left the Jets vulnerable, allowing Patriots’ quarterbacks to escape pressure and turn missed opportunities into offensive gains.
“Reddick came in the game and just ran past the quarterback multiple times, whether it was Maye or Jacoby, and created those scramble lanes that the Patriots took advantage of,” Belichick said.
Reddick quickly caught wind of Belichick’s comments and fired back at the legendary coach on social media.
“Aye someone call Bill Belichick and give him a job. Seems like he’s home bored and can’t keep me out of his mouth. Come up for air why don’t ya (no diddy),” Reddick posted on X.
The Jets have already faced their share of issues this season, and Reddick’s response to Belichick’s comments adds another layer to their ongoing turmoil.
The Pro Bowl linebacker, who sat out the season’s first seven games before taking the field in Week 8, saw only 26 snaps on Sunday and didn’t register a single stat.
Of course, the Jets have much bigger problems than the play of Reddick.
The disastrous loss to the Patriots has only dug the Jets hole even deeper. After entering the season as Super Bowl contenders, things are quickly spiraling out of control.
There are even rumors that Aaron Rodgers could potentially be on the trade block. (Although it’s virtually impossible to see Gang Green actually ship him out of town.)
The Jets have a very quick turnaround as they play host to C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans this Thursday at MetLife Stadium.
As for Belichick, he’s been much more outspoken in the media than most assumed he’d be.
While he never passes up a chance to take a shot at the Jets, he doesn’t hesitate to speak his mind about other players and teams as well.
What are your thoughts on Reddick’s response to Belichick’s criticism?
More importantly, do you think we’ll see Bill back on the sidelines next season???