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21 Years Ago Today Ian O’Connor Claimed The Patriots Would Regret Hiring Bill Belichick

Kings of Boston Sports



Twenty-one years ago today, the Patriots made the greatest trade in NFL history. Bill Belichick had suddenly resigned from his newly appointed job as head coach of the New York Jets, and Bob Kraft swooped in to get him. At that time nobody would have ever believed that a trade for a relatively unsuccessful head coach in his first opportunity with the Cleveland Browns, would be worth the hefty price Bob Kraft gave up to the Jets to attain Bill Belichick’s services. Especially, Ian O’Connor who may have had the worst prediction since the beginning of mankind. The problem for Ian is the internet never forgets and he will have to live this epic blunder down until the end of his days. This trade ended up turning into the deal of the century.

New England sent a 1st rounder along with a 4th and 5th round picks to the Jets for the rights to Bill Belichick. While many in the media thought it was insane, here we are headed to our 9th Superbowl in the Belichick era on the anniversary of his signing.

Ian O’Connor had written his now infamous article that has aged far worse than any lousy hot take that we can hear outside of the equally pathetic “Cliff” prediction made by Max Kellerman. O’Connor was not a hater and truly believed what he said. O’Connor was not alone though, many media members and NFL figures also felt the same way about Belichick.

Former Eagles quarterback Ron Jaworski didn’t believe it was a good deal either.

“Giving up a No. 1, I think, is a lot. Belichick is one the game’s outstanding defensive coaches, but as a head coach he didn’t prove much. I think there were other qualified coaches out there so you don’t have to give up a No. 1, who should be a Pro Bowl player. And they don’t have the talent to give that up.”

That pick the Patriots sent to the Jets did turn into a Pro Bowl player. New York used New England’s pick to trade up for Shaun Ellis, who made two Pro Bowls during his 11-year career. The Jets got what they had hoped for in the player but certainly had no idea of what they were actually giving up at the time.

The Jets have had 7 different head coaches since the trade. During the same time period, Bill Belichick has led the Patriots to 17 AFC East division titles, 13 appearances in the AFC Championship Game, and nine Super Bowl appearances.