Bill Belichick shows disgust with New York Jets as link to HC job addressed

Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick failed to stay neutral during Monday's "Manningcast" coverage of the New York Jets and the Buffalo Bills .

"I'm not a big Jets fan, in case you don't know that," he told Payton and Eli Manning right before halftime.

Earlier in the contest, Belichick couldn't help but chastise the Jets defense's attempt to contain Bills quarterback Josh Allen . New York's pass rush failed to keep Allen in the pocket as the mobile QB rolled right.

"Keep him in the pocket, keep him in there, ohhhh" Belichick moaned before Allen uncorked a perfect 40-yard strike to running back Ray Davis. "That's why you can't let him out of the pocket. They almost kept him in but they didn't," he quipped.

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Belichick, a former defensive coordinator, knows a thing or two about defending Josh Allen. While he was coach of the Patriots , he faced the Bills quarterback on 11 occasions and held the superstar to just 220.2 yards per game.

The seven-time Super Bowl winner was linked by many to take over the Jets head coaching position following the team's dismissal of Robert Saleh midweek .

"I thought Coach Saleh really did a good job with this team," Belichick said on the broadcast. "That's kinda what it's been there with the Jets. They've barely won over 30 percent in the last 10 years. The owner being the owner... ready, fire aim."

Belichick was the head coach of the Jets under owner Woody Johnson once...for a grand total of six days in 2000. He served as the team's defensive coordinator from 1997-1999 and was slated to lead New York following the retirement of Bill Parcells.

The New England job opened up after the surprising departure of head coach Pete Carroll. Belichick famously announced his resignation from the Jets on a napkin. Belichick remained with the Patriots through the 2023 season, capturing seven Super Bowls alongside future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady. He won 47 of his 60 games against the Jets.

During a midweek appearance on "Up & Adams," former Patriots Pro Bowl tight end Rob Gronkowski was asked by host Kay Adams if Belichick would ever coach the Jets. "Oh my gosh. No. There’s no way," he said.

Adams then asked just how real the hate is. "Yes, it’s that real and it’s just engraved that deep," Gronkowski answered.

“It just is, because it just happens when you have a rival in your own division. It just builds up and builds up and I just can’t see him going to the Jets.