Patriots star offers passionate defense of Bill Belichick amid rumors, criticism

New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers apologized Friday for an unfortunate comment caught on a hot mic following last Sunday's 10-7 loss at the New York Giants.

Peppers used the extra attention he received from media members to defend head coach Bill Belichick amid reports claiming team owner Robert Kraft will look to part ways with Belichick in January. 

"We’ve got one of the best coaches to ever coach, and he comes in week after week telling us what we have to do to win this game, who we have to stop, how we have to go about business," Peppers explained, as shared by Zack Cox of NESN. "And time and time again, week after week, it comes up in the game exactly how he said it, and we don’t capitalize on our opportunities." 

Belichick's inability to acquire and/or mold an adequate replacement for retired quarterback Tom Brady coupled with other questionable roster decisions has the Patriots at 2-9 heading into this Sunday's home game versus the 4-7 Los Angeles Chargers. The 71-year-old routinely linked in rumors with possible offseason moves to other clubs reportedly signed a contract extension following the 2022 campaign. He and Kraft may need to have some uncomfortable conversations come January unless the six-time Super Bowl champion head coach decides to retire.  

Peppers left no doubt ahead of the weekend he doesn't want to hear any talk about Belichick potentially being out of touch as it pertains to coaching in the modern NFL. 

"I don’t really like (the Belichick criticism)," Peppers added during his comments. "I don’t really listen to the outside noise, but I don’t like that. People aren’t in this building. These guys work hard, leave late, (spend) time away from their family to try to put us in the best position to maximize our talents and make plays, and we’re just not doing it. It p----- me off."

As of late Friday afternoon, oddschecker listed the Pats as 5.5-point home underdogs against the Chargers. Backup quarterback Bailey Zappe reportedly will replace Mac Jones as New England's starter against Los Angeles, but recent results suggest the club's Week 1 QB1 for 2024 isn't yet on the roster.