Is Bill Belichick retiring? Coach talks split from Patriots in press conference

The legendary Bill Belichick is out as the New England Patriots head coach after leading 24 seasons and six Super Bowl victories, ESPN reported Thursday.

Belichick and Patriots owner Robert Kraft hosted a joint press conference Thursday to discuss the split.

"I'll always be a Patriot ... but, at this time, we're going to move on. And I look forward and am excited for the future," Belichick said.

"He is the greatest coach of all time, which makes this decision to part ways so hard," Kraft added.

The 71-year-old coach produced 296 total wins with the Patriots – the second-most by any head coach with a single team in NFL history after George Halas with the Bears, who had 324 wins.

After the Patriots' two decades of dominance – and star quarterback Tom Brady's departure – the team has struggled in the past two years. The team's 2023 season ended at 4-13, their worst record in Belichick's tenure as head coach.

News of Belichick and the Patriots parting ways spurred some to wonder whether the coach will retire from the NFL. Here's what we know.

Did Bill Belichick retire?

Neither Belichick nor the NFL have said his departure signifies retirement. ESPN reported Thursday that the coach and Patriots are "parting ways," as Kraft confirmed during the team's live press conference.

"(Belichick and I) met and mutually agreed to part ways amicably," Kraft said.

According to ESPN, sources close to the team claim Belichick and Kraft communicated with "no conflict, no disagreement, and in the end, productive talks" that ended in the mutual decision for the coach to leave.

Where is Bill Belichick going?

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport indicated that Belichick may assume the Atlanta Falcons' vacant head coaching job following his departure from the Patriots. This has not been confirmed by the team nor Belichick.

Who will replace Bill Belichick?

Both ESPN and the NFL point to Patriots inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo as the leading candidate for the head coach position. Kraft also identified Mayo as a rising prospect, ESPN wrote.

Mike Vrabel, who was fired earlier this week by the Tennessee Titans and won three Super Bowls with the Patriots, is also expected to be a candidate for the head coaching job.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Bill Belichick press conference: 'I'll always be a Patriot'