Insider addresses Patriots' 'awkward' Bill Belichick-Robert Kraft situation

NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated wrote that he feels "very comfortable saying" that New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft won't fire head coach Bill Belichick "out of spite" and instead would prefer "for an amicable separation" as soon as this offseason. 

Breer also explained how Kraft and/or Belichick could complicate things. 

"This could well get awkward," Breer noted. "The scenario where it happens, in my mind, is where Kraft insists on compensation after not getting a return for Tom Brady. If Kraft does draw that line, there’s a good chance that Belichick, presuming he wants to keep coaching (some close to him believe he will), would not go along with it, after what he’s done for the Patriots, and knowing that he could use any picks going back in a trade to help his new team." 

Specifically, it was reported well before the Patriots fell to 2-9 during what's become a disastrous season for the organization that Belichick signed a multiyear contract extension this past offseason that may only run through the 2024 campaign. Assuming that's the case, a different club would have to send compensation to New England for Belichick's rights this coming winter to land the 71-year-old unless he forced Kraft's hand. 

"In that scenario, Belichick could tell the other owner to sit tight, and then try to force Kraft to fire him," Breer continued. "Would it come to that? I don’t know. But with every loss, I do think the chances of the elegant conclusion to the Belichick era that Kraft may want diminish. It’ll be fascinating to follow this over the next few weeks." 

Belichick has already been linked in rumors with possible moves to the Washington Commanders, Los Angeles Chargers and Carolina Panthers. Thus, it's understandable Kraft could look to acquire assets in return for Belichick's services even if the six-time Super Bowl champion head coach wouldn't want his next employer to be short a high 2024 draft choice.

What's already an ugly situation in New England may only get worse unless the two sides agree to spend one last season working together or Kraft lets Belichick hit the open market in early January.