Is this how it’s all supposed to end?

With Bill Belichick’s face mostly covered, the hated New York Jets on Sunday making snow angels in the end zone, the same way Lonnie Paxton was when the dynasty began at the end of the Tuck Rule Game back in January of 2002. That was probably the last time there was this much snow impacting a Patriots home game, that one at old Foxborough Stadium.

You know, the good ol’ days.

It just doesn’t seem right. While the rest of the NFL is probably snickering, one has to at least have some empathy for a coach who gave it the max and was the driving force in changing a franchise forever.

But the world of sports, especially for NFL coaches, is a cruel one. There certainly was a sense of finality coming out of Foxborough during Sunday’s 17-3 Jets win, even those who were holding out hope that the HC of the NEP would be returning seemed resigned to the fact he had coached his last game for the Patriots.

“I’ll sit down with Robert (Kraft) as I do every year at some point at the end of the season,” Belichick said yesterday, “and we’ll talk about things as we always do. I’ m sure that will happen. But that’s really all I have to say about that right now because there isn’t anything else to talk about.”

He dodged questions about his future, whether he wanted to return, or thought he would return, etc. Reportedly he is expected to meet with Kraft sooner than later, likely today.

“Yeah, so I just finished the game here with the Jets,” Belichick said. “Put everything I had into it. Disappointed in the results.”

Belichick certainly had his veteran supporters in the locker room.

“If you sat in team meetings this week, you would’ve thought we’re getting ready to go play in the AFC Championship Game,” Patriots special teams captain Matthew Slater, who also likely appeared in his final game, a good bet to retire. “That’s how he’s coaching the team. He didn’t turn it down, he didn’t shut it down, and I have so much respect for him, especially in a year like this.

“Again, when you’re winning, you’re doing well and going to Super Bowls, everybody’s having a good time. You guys are pumping us up. We’e all kee-keeing; it’s a great time. But, when you’re in moments like this, you find out who people are and I certainly found out a lot about Bill Belichick this year.”

It’s just such a feeble ending. Belichick, coaching until the final whistle, frantically waving at kick returner Jalen Reagor to move up after the Jets clinching score. Reagor was one of those diamonds in the rough that Belichick was always good at finding.

No days off. Do your job. He not only changed a franchise he changed a bit of the region’s culture. But things can change quickly. Two years ago, on a warm autumn Sunday, we remember looking down from our press box perch after a blowout of the Jets Belichick sitting at the outdoor lounge with friends, including former assistant Matt Patricia, who at the time was working as a consultant and in the front office, relaxing and celebrating a win. Rare sight. And now? He leaves the field at Gillette bundled up with snow swirling in the air like the rumors of his demise, while Patricia was in New Jersey guiding a Philly defense that somehow gave up 27 points to the Giants.

Yikes.

Make no mistake, Belichick will coach somewhere next season, or at least he wants to. This horrible 4-13 year with Heckyl and Jeckyl as his quarterbacks didn’t sour him on the job.

“No, I mean, I enjoy coaching,” Belichick said. “Like I said, it’s a disappointing season. I covered that in the opening statement. I don’t have anything to add. That’s how I feel.

“But no, I still – I like coaching the team, preparing the team, game planning, coaching on Sundays. But the results weren’t good enough and none of us are happy with those.”

Including the owner, which is why, yes, this is very, very likely the end.

As cruel as that may be.

Tom King may be reached at X @Telegraph_TomK, or via email at tking@nashuatelegraph.com

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