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

Kings of Boston Sports



23 years ago, the Patriots made the greatest trade in NFL history prior to the 2000 NFL season when the Patriots got Bill Belichick to resign from his newly appointed job as head coach of the New York Jets. Little at that time nobody would ever believe that a trade for a relatively unsuccessful head coach in his first opportunity 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 today coming out of the likes of 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.

“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 6 head coaches since the trade, meanwhile Belichick and the Patriots are on their way to their 9th Superbowl together.