If Belichick had signed AB twice for a dirt cheap deal, gotten premium production and won a SB, and then washed his hands of it as soon as AB started to negatively affect the team, people would say that’s why Belichick is so shrewd. The “next man up” chorus after today’s win would be loud.
Arians did nothing wrong. He signed AB when he should have, twice. He gave him a second chance, which was the right thing to do for the team. Now he’s releasing him when it’s the right thing to do. The contract was cheap; it’s not like they paid him $70M and tied up all their cap space. Players on all teams can be divas. Coaches balance that with winning. There’s a ridiculous narrative people are always trying to make that Arians is a total buffoon and moron. Really the only thing Arians did wrong was saying “one mistake and he’s gone” last year when he shouldn’t have said that to the media. But in the end, who cares? The media makes a big deal about it. Players understand the locker room and the team goals.