FOXBOROUGH - It was hard not to feel like the book on the Patriots, as you know them, has closed for the final time. On Bill Belichick. On the incredibly successful journey that slowly but surely petered out, as they all do.
The emotion was evident everywhere. Players hugged, smiled wistfully in the locker room, and surveyed the scene again, knowing the picture would change in the coming days, weeks, and months. This team - 4-13 - did not live up to expectations. Not even close. It was the worst season in Belichick's career as a head coach, spanning two cities (Cleveland and Foxborough) and 29 years. Turnovers, penalties, blown assignments, subpar performances from just about every spot on offense, placekicker, and special teams in general. So many layers to the Pats' foundation eroded, and while they were applauded for playing hard until the end, that couldn't mask the lack of talent and cohesion that showed repeatedly.
"Disappointing finish there today,' said Belichick postgame. "Had a lot of respect for the way the players competed. They have all year. Indicative of the competitiveness all year ... Just couldn't make enough plays to win. Disappointing year for all of us: players, coaches, staff. Entire organization. Not anything that any of us are in any way content with, but it is what it is.
"As far as the future goes, I'll sit down with Robert (Kraft), as I do every year, at some point at the end of the season. We'll talk about things as we always do. I'm sure that will happen. But that's really all I have to say about that right now 'cause there isn't anything to talk about."
Arguably, it's the understatement of the year, but it keeps with Belichick's theme that he's not going there until it's time to go there, and even then, there's no guarantee we hear that come out of his mouth (if this is the end). Maybe a statement, but some impromptu press conference would be abnormal for the 71-year-old.
That Belichick did speak on the season-long struggle was, at least, an admission that this wasn't good enough. But even then, there was no looking back or drinking the scene in. On the field, Belichick exchanged a quick hug with Robert Saleh, then sought out Aaron Rodgers for another. After that, with his head slightly tilted downward, he took the short, brisk walk off the Gillette Stadium turf, down the stairs, and into the offseason abyss.
"Disappointed about how the game turned out," Belichick said when asked about leaving the field. "Yeah. Let's leave it at that."
Belichick has one year remaining on his deal, and there are those within the organization who believe he'd be back if it were up to him. Asked if that's what he wants, the head coach wouldn't speak those words publicly.
"So I just finished the game here with the Jets. Put everything I had into it. Disappointed in the results."
Pressed further about the future, the answer stayed the same.
"Just finished the game with the Jets. It was very...I put everything I had into this week and tried to prepare our team the best I could to play in it."
The players still laud Belichick for his ability to paint the picture of what needs to happen during the week and then what needs to happen on game day for the Pats to emerge victorious. But over the last four years, they're 29-38, with one playoff appearance and no playoff victories. Three of those four seasons have been losing ones. Yet, Belichick insists that he still has the same passion for the job.
"I enjoy coaching. Like I said, disappointing season; I covered that in the opening statement and really don't have anything to add," he said. "That's how I feel. I still like coaching the team, like preparing the team, game planning, coaching on Sundays. But the results weren't good. None of us are happy with those. Ok, thank you."
And with that, Belichick left the podium, likely for the last time. No acknowledgment of what was around him. No smiles or nods. He stuck to what he's always known, what he's always been. That consistency is something to marvel at - always has been - even now, when the results don't back the approach.