FOXBOROUGH - Bill Belichick's usual Wednesday press conference started with a bit of levity; the coach asked the gathered media how Halloween went and if they had any "leftovers." But that was it for the good times unless you had a specific question about the Commanders. Otherwise, the Pats head coach decided November 1, 2023, was the day he invoked the spirit of "we're on to Cincinnati" by repeating "just getting ready for Washington" or some variation thereof.
It started with Belichick cutting off a question about yesterday's trade deadline.
"We're getting ready for Washington."
But were you close to anything (the Pats made no moves)?
"Just getting ready for Washington."
The questions weren't about to stop despite Belichick's unwillingness to go there. Pressed further about the inner-office workings on a day like yesterday, the head coach invoked a non-answer from the week before, then added, "If there was anything to talk about, we talked about it. If there wasn't anything to talk about, I worked on Washington, and personnel people worked on personnel things."
That answer didn't suffice, which led to more questions.
"This is the same thing we've talked about," he said, the pitch of his voice changing. "We've talked about it 50 times: if they have something that they think I need to know about, then we talked about it. If I have a personnel situation that I think they need to know about, I tell them about it, and then they look into it. It's the same thing I've said the last 50 times we've talked about this. We work together when there's something to work together on. When there isn't something to work together on, then I coach, and they do personnel."
Then, for good measure, Belichick responded to a followup with this:
"If there isn't something that we need to talk about, then to sit there and stare at each other all day, like we both have other stuff to do. Not both, but like their department, the coaching department, like there's other things going on. So I'm just gonna sit there and stare at each other. See if the phone's gonna ring or if there's gonna be some old non-news or whatever. We have stuff to do."
There were definitely conversations, especially regarding edge rusher Josh Uche. The Jaguars were in hot pursuit and believed they were close to a deal, but per league sources, the two sides couldn't bridge the gap in compensation, and I was told they were "a round apart." So unless Uche gives the Pats more than what they've seen so far - or the price comes down - it would seem like the former University of Michigan product is playing out the string in Foxborough. It's a curious decision, especially when you consider the amount of free agent dollars the team will have at their disposal this offseason and the probability that those compensatory picks that have been so beloved both at One Patriot Place and by the media and fan base they've sold it to, likely won't exist. So why not get something now? That same league source told me the Pats "wouldn't budge" from their evaluation of the player and his worth. The rest of the league did not agree with that valuation. Hence, the roster remains what it was.
The message to the locker room clarifies a bit. Or at least that's the hope. Maybe they'll print new shirts with "We Not Tanking" on the front. I kid, but there was never a chance that Belichick would sign off on something like that, especially if you believe he's coaching for his job, and we know he's coaching for the wins record that I've never heard anyone outside the building give a rat's about.
There's another opportunity now to identify the players that could or should be core pieces - Kyle Dugger and Mike Onwenu come to mind - and try to get them locked up long-term rather than risk them diving into free agency and never coming back. Of course, now that both those players (and Uche) are so close to the open market, it would probably take an overpay to stop them from dipping not just their toes but entire bodies in that water. Does that sound like something the Pats have made a habit of doing? No. They've long operated under the notion that said players can see their value and then ask them to return for one more conversation. That worked great when they were winning AFC East titles year after year, and playoff games and Super Bowls. Now? They're just like all those franchises that are desperate to sell something - anything - for a player to sign on. What's the hook? Mac Jones? Belichick? Positionless players on defense? None of that moves the needle. Money will be what sells the Pats, and that's risky. 2021's free agent spending spree is proof of that.
While the Pats didn't add or subtract from their roster, they could bolster their coaching staff. The Raiders announced at 1 a.m. Wednesday morning that they had fired Josh McDaniels, OC Mick Lombardi, and GM Dave Ziegler, all with recent and long ties to New England.
"Yeah, I just heard about it this morning," said Belichick. "Again, just trying to get ready for Washington."
Considering the Pats' propensity for bringing back former employees - they come cheap - it's fair to wonder if the franchise would welcome back McDaniels to help lift this flagging offense. However, it's not as if his version of it in Las Vegas was soaring (The Raiders average 16 ppg. The Pats 14.8). So Belichick was asked that, too.
"Just getting ready for Washington," he muttered.
There's his rallying cry one more time. Let's see if it plays the same way the "We're on to Cincinnati" went back in 2014.