New England Patriots coach Belichick to leave team after 24 seasons

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, one of the most successful coaches in National Football League history, will leave the team on Thursday after 24 seasons and six Super Bowl titles, sources told ESPN.

Belichick, 71, and Patriots owner Robert Kraft met several times this week, ESPN reported, after the team finished the season with a dismal 4-13 record, the worst in Belichick's 29-year head coaching career.

With six Super Bowl titles in 24 seasons with the Patriots, Belichick is regarded as one of the greatest coaches of all-time.

Speculation has mounted since November that the New England team was ready for a coaching change as the team grappled with their third losing season in four years since quarterback Tom Brady left to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2021.