That part of the conversation should Really go something like: "This is what Jonathan and I are TELLING YOU what you need to do..."
Bill has Forever lost the right to tell ANYONE what he wants... In fact just turn in your Executive Washroom key right now while you're here Bill...
We'll have to agree to disagree.
In the next line I wrote: "Just fix it."
In the next,: "We can revisit this next December."
Belichick's (with New England), 261 Regular Season wins, 30 Playoff wins, nine Conference Championships and six Lombardi's buy him, in my view, another year.
In addition, I really don't think that Robert and Jonathan have the knowledge or standing to be "TELLING" (your caps, no need to shout) the man with that record what to do at this point. His performance has, arguably, increased their Net Worth by over $1billion...or more, which has bought a whole lot more than a "Washroom key" for their family.
They do, however, have the right and standing to simply fire him. But, I think that would be a mistake, since the alternative is not clear...certainly no one on the Staff at the moment.
By telling the man who is arguably the greatest HC in the history of the NFL (I take it we would have to agree to disagree on that as well) to "Just fix it," followed by "We can revisit this next December" they are effectively saying, in corporate speak, "Get it done or we're going to fire you. You've earned the right to decide what you want to do."
If I were him, the message would be clear and I might just decide to quit...but $22 million a year is a lot to walk out on...still a drop in the bucket though in comparison to what he's brought the Kraft family.
In general, as Patriots fans for the last (for myself at least) 48 years, we have been badly spoiled by the last 20. The Pats are not in a good place right now...but they are still far better off than many other franchises and current teams...much of this is attributable to TB12, but much also to Bill Belichick.
The Packers, Steelers, Cowboys and 49'ers (the only Franchises that deserve to be compared to the Patriots, IMO) have all wandered in the wilderness at different times and for a lot longer than the Patriots have been struggling. I can't think of anyone I would rather have fixing it than Bill Belichick.