Patriots timeline: Tom Brady's Super Bowl era to Bill Belichick's exit - ESPN

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — When the New England Patriots shocked the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game on Jan. 20, 2019 — prevailing 37-31 in overtime — it was fair to wonder if the winning would ever stop.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick found quarterback Tom Brady in the euphoric on-field celebration at Arrowhead Stadium and told him that he loved him. Brady looked at Belichick and responded: «What a great f---ing game!»

They went on to beat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3 in Super Bowl LIII in what might be considered the end of an era.

Fast forward to Nov., 12, 2023.

At 2-7, the Patriots traveled 3,682 miles to Frankfurt, Germany, with the hopes of getting their season on track against the 4-5 Indianapolis Colts. Instead, they experienced the same type of setback that has defined this season.

Belichick benched starting quarterback Mac Jones after a head-scratching late fourth-quarter interception, then watched as backup Bailey Zappe fired an interception into tight coverage on a potential last-gasp comeback drive. The 10-6 loss was the lowest point of a season filled with low points.

Exasperated by yet another defeat, Belichick closed his eyes and put both hands on his forehead. His blue-and-white winter hat slid back — just like his Patriots team has since their last Super Bowl.

Since that loss, the Patriots went 2-5 to finish 4-13, and on Thursday, sources told ESPN Belichick and Robert Kraft have agreed to part ways.

How did it all fall apart for Belichick and the Patriots?

That's complicated, because even when they were on top of the football world, winning a third Super Bowl over a five-year span on Feb. 3, 2019, fissures were developing beneath the surface that slowly weakened their championship foundation.

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