Earlier today, Bill Belichick stepped in front of the media for the first time since early June’s mandatory minicamp. The New England Patriots’ head coach spoke about his team’s approach during the early portions of camp, how the first two days are a continuation of spring workouts, and the excitement he feels to work with the players on their roster and how the team will be built over the weeks ahead.
As usual, however, Belichick did not address all topics with the same enthusiasm. Here are five things that he did not necessarily want to speak about on this summer morning.
Players reporting to training camp
Belichick was asked about whether or not all of the team’s veteran players reported to training camp that he expected to report. He did not want to share the information, however, and instead noted that the team would relay any information it had at a later point: “We’ll have something at the end of the day if there are any things. If we have any announcements we’ll make them at the end of the day.”
Tom Brady’s contract
There are a handful of topics Belichick will never address, and contracts is one of them. Alas, he was confronted with a question about his quarterback’s current situation — Tom Brady still has not signed an extension despite entering the final year of his deal. Belichick, however, answered in the usual fashion: “I’m not going to talk about player contracts or any other contracts for that matter.”
Reflecting on past 19 seasons as Patriots head coach
Belichick is entering his twentieth training camp as New England’s head coach, and so he was asked during the 15-minute press conference whether or not he finds the time to look back on his first nineteen years with the club. The 67-year-old is a man of the future, however, and replied that reflecting on the past is not on his agenda: “I haven’t spent a lot of time on that.”
Josh Gordon’s suspension
Another topic Belichick usually avoids is talking about players not on the team. Josh Gordon falls under that category courtesy of the indefinite suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy he is still serving. The 28-year-old is expected back at one point, but Belichick would not offer any additional details on the process today — as had to be expected: “That’ll be a league matter. You should talk to them about it.”
Pressure to repeat as Super Bowl champions
The 2004 Patriots are the last team to successfully defend its title, and time will tell whether the franchise’s 2019 version can do the same. Belichick, however, does not feel any pressure to win back-to-back Super Bowls. How do we know? He was asked with the final question of today’s presser, giving him an opportunity to end it in style: “I think about trying to have a good day today, that’s what I’m thinking about.”