Bill Belichick Jets trade, explained: Revisiting 2000 deal that sent legendary coach to Patriots
The name Bill Belichick never rings positively in the ears of Jets fans.Â
Jan. 27, 2000, was the start of a dream for New England rooters. They didn’t quite know it at the time, but the team’s ability to poach Belichick to be their new head coach was the beginning of a two-decades-long run of dominance in the NFL.Â
For Jets fans, it would be the start of a two-decades-long spell of torture. Not only did Belichick leave the question of “what if” with the organization, but he stood across from the Jets twice a season, every season, and showcased his coaching excellence from the opposing sidelines.Â
The trade that sent Belichick from the Jets to the Patriots was, in retrospect, monumental. The defensive mastermind was at the helm of six Super Bowl-winning teams, appearing in nine NFL championships.Â
In comparison, the Jets have six total playoff wins since Belichick left New York 24 years ago.Â
The 2024 Jets are going to be looking for a new head coach this offseason. The team elected to fire Robert Saleh after the Week 5 loss to the Vikings in London, dropping the club’s record to 2-3 on the campaign. It just so happens that Belichick could be available, as he currently is not on a coaching staff after he and the Patriots parted ways after the 2023 season.Â
So how did Belichick end up on the Pats? Let’s revisit the trade from New York to New England.Â
MORE ROBERT SALEH FIRING:
Why did Jets fire Robert Saleh? | Top 7 Jets coaching candidates | Who is Jeff Ulbrich? | Mekhi Becton ‘celebratory’ tweet
Bill Belichick Jets trade Jets receive: 2000 1st-round pick (16th overall), 2001 4th-round pick and 2001 7th round pickPatriots receive: Belichick, 2001 5th round pick, 2002 7th round pickAfter early coaching stints with the Giants, Browns and Patriots, Belichick joined the Jets in 1997 as a member of Bill Parcells’ staff. He was named the assistant head coach and was also responsible for the defensive backs.Â
When Parcells stepped down in 1999, it was with the assumption that Belichick was taking over as head coach. That all changed when Belichick announced at his welcoming press conference that he was not staying with the Jets, but instead had intentions of becoming the head coach with the Patriots. He famously wrote a message on the napkin that read, “I resign as HC of the NYJ.”Â
The Jets were not about to let Belichick just leave them at the altar empty-handed. New York argued to the league that he was still under contract with the team, and if New England wanted him to join their organization, then the Jets would require compensation. Paul Tagliabue, the NFL commissioner, agreed with the Jets, and the two sides worked out a deal.
NFL HQ: Live NFL scores | Updated NFL standings | Full NFL schedule
Parcells sent a message to Patriots owner Robert Kraft detailing the full transaction, which involved a first-round pick going to the Jets.Â
Dear Bob:
This letter is intended to memorialize our conversation from last night, which occurred around 11:00pm.
The New York Jets hereby grant permission to the New England Patriots to talk to Bill Belichick about any position they desire.
If Bill Belichick accepts and assumes a position with the New England Patriots, and reports to work on or before Monday, January 31, 2000 then, the New York Jets trade to the New England Patriots their 5th round pick in the 2001 annual NFL selection draft, and their 7th round pick in the 2002 annual NFL selection draft, and the New England Patriots trade their 1st round pick in the 2000 annual NFL selection draft (16th overall), their 4th pick in the 2001 annual NFL selection draft, and their 7th round pick in the 2001 annual NFL selection draft.
Formal trade papers will follow, and all copies will be filed with the league office.
Sincerely,
Bill Parcells
The rest is history. Belichick and the Patriots went on to bring New England six Super Bowls, and compiled a record of 47-13 against the Jets in his time.Â
