Patriots owner Robert Kraft says Bill Belichick's run with team ended 'amicably'

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After 24 years and six championships, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots agreed to part ways. 

Belichick held a relatively brief press conference Thursday, where he spent the majority of his time thanking players, staffers and fans for their contributions during his lengthy tenure.

"Players win games in the NFL," Belichick said. "I’ve been very, very fortunate to coach some of the greatest players to ever play the game." After Belichick shared his feelings, longtime team owner Robert Kraft stepped up to the microphone and said the parting of ways was amicable.

"Good afternoon everyone. And as Bill mentioned, yesterday we met and mutually agreed to part ways, amicably. Like a good marriage, a successful head coach-owner relationship requires a lot work. I'm really proud our partnership lasted 24 years. I don't think in the NFL there has been any other partnership that lasted longer and has been as productive as ours," Kraft said.

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Head coach Bill Belichick, left, of the New England Patriots shakes hands with owner Robert Kraft during a press conference at Gillette Stadium Jan. 11, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. Belichick announced he is stepping down as head coach after 24 seasons with the team.  (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Neither Belichick nor Kraft took questions, though Kraft admitted that missing the playoffs in three of the past four seasons factored into the split.

"What’s gone on here the last three to four years isn’t what we want. So, we have a responsibility to do what we can to fix it to the best of our ability," Kraft said.

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