Belichick Reportedly Signing a 3-Year Extension is Just One of Many Positive Developments for the Patriots This Week

Given what a steady stream of soul-crushing, dispiriting, Book of Job-like misfortunes have befallen the Patriots since the beginning of September, and how hopeless the situation looked just a few days ago, the good, decent red-blooded Massholes and other assorted Pats fans can be forgiven if we're over-celebrating just a bit. 

It's felt like forever since we've seen a Belichick's mighty fist raised in triumph and a good victorious locker room video. So if I shed a single, manly, Spartacus tear at the tone in Matthew Slater's voice when he calls this a family, the world is just going to have to deal. I apologize for nothing, because I am ashamed of nothing. This fanbase and this Dynasty will not go quietly into that good night like it's post-Super Bowl Denver, Carolina or Arizona. And we'll take all the good news we can get. 

That good news didn't begin with Mac Jones taking the Pats the length of the field in the final two minutes to beat the Bills in the most clutch performance of his career. It came hours earlier, with the news Mr. Kraft and Belichick agreed to an extension this past offseason:

The one issue we all had with Ian Rapoport's Ian Rap-report (has this ever been used before? I don't think I've heard it. And if NFL Network turns it into a bit I demand compensation) is the lack of details. If you want to really get technical - and many, many people do - a two-year extension could be considered "multi-year." And there have been rumors that is exactly what this was. And if you really want to go dark - which many, many more people absolutely do - some have suggested the report was fed to Rapoport from Belichick himself as a warning shot to say he's not going to just politely step aside, no matter how much the 2023 season keeps going south on him. 

Well now we've got some actual numbers being reported. From my old WEEI co-host, whom I can confirm from spending a couple of years in a studio with him for 20 hours a week, has very solid sources:

A legally binding agreement on three more years, at least. The terms by which his storied career will come to an honorable end. And all his responsibilities codified in writing. If that doesn't say "contractually obligated job security" in not so many words, I can't imagine what would. 

I mean, how many more years would it take to ensure that this incomparable partnership will continue? At the end of the extension, Belichick's family will be at ItzaParty buying birthday decorations with 7s and 5s on them. It would strain credulity to think they'd extend him out 10 years. Managing a football empire is a young man's game. It's not something for 80-year-olds, like running the country. So it's safe to think that Belichick will get to finish the work he's started, getting his team back into contention in a post-GOAT world. 

And to that end, there is much more to be optimistic about than a contract extension and the most impressive win of the Mac Jones era. Things are, in fact, looking up all over the roster. Beginning with the unit I've been beginning with since the beginning of training camp. 

The offensive line that has been shuffled and reshuffled like a casino shoe found a starting lineup that seems to work. And is finally seeing a return on the decision to wait until the 4th round of the draft to shore up an area of need:

Sidy Sow not only had his best game since they took him out of Eastern Michigan with the 117th pick, he was among the best guards in all of football Sunday:

And as is the case with any O-line, where cohesion is the key to everything, having Sow settle down the right guard spot led to better performances from everyone:

Elsewhere on the offense, as bad as things were looking a few weeks ago where Jones seemingly had no one to throw to, they've gotten help from a most unlikely source. A career blocking tight end who has become part of the rotation in a 2-TE system and is suddenly leading all tight ends in the league with 27.4 YPR:

On the other side of the ball, I for one went into the season thinking the biggest hole to fill was the massive crater left by Devin McCourty's retirement. And they've managed to fill it:

And in pass coverage, Peppers is 17th among all safeties with a passer rating when targeted of just 69.1. Additionally, he's been pret-tay, pret-tay, pret-tay good once receivers do get the ball in their hands:

And finally, things were looking mighty grim once the Pats lost, not only their best defender, but their best player period through the first 3 1/4 games in Christian Gonzalez. His injury raised the obvious and mission critical question of who was going to take on the opposition's top receivers the way the rookie had. 

Asked and answered:

So as it stands right now, with Miami coming up followed by an easier part of the schedule to follow, it would appear that GM Bill had a great draft while adding some desperately needed pieces, HC Bill has them playing much better, and both Bills are going to be around for years to come to restore the glory he brought to this franchise a quarter of a century ago. 

If these all aren't reasons to feel good about the immediate future, I'm afraid you're beyond help. I'm choosing hope.