For a little over two decades, Bill Belichick tormented the New York Jets and most of the AFC East.
Notably, things could’ve been entirely different if he had honored his initial agreement. Belichick was supposed to take the torch from Bill Parcells and become the Jets’ new head coach starting in 2000. Instead, he infamously resigned by writing, “I resign as HC of the NYJ” on a napkin shortly after being announced as their new addition.
In a Monday appearance on the “Pardon My Take” podcast, the legendary head coach finally explained why he did that.
Bill Belichick reflects on failed Jets signing
“Yeah, in retrospect, I don’t think that was the greatest choice,” Belichick admitted. “It certainly did [get the job done]. It did in a very, I don’t know. It wasn’t the classiest thing I’ve ever done. I’ll say that. I was in a mood at that time.”
However, it wasn’t anything against the Jets or that the New England Patriots offered him more money. Per Belichick, the uncertainty surrounding the Jets’ new ownership made him feel he shouldn’t take the job.
He had a bad experience with former Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell. With James Dolan and Woody Johnson as the leading candidates to acquire the Jets, he ultimately wanted no part of that.
“I had worked for Modell and the two trains coming down the track were Dolan and Woody Johnson. I just felt like I’m — I don’t feel comfortable with whichever one of those guys ends up with the team. Nothing personal. I just had a bad experience (with Modell) and I was — either I’m going to work for a good owner or an owner that I felt comfortable with, who would share a vision with or — I’m not working for that,” Belichick explained.
Things worked out perfectly for Belichick. He went on to become a legend in New England, something not many people saw coming at the time, given his rather mediocre coaching record before that stint.
Also, he was quite the visionary. Woody Johnson’s ownership has left the Jets as bottom-feeders, so even the most die-hard Jets fan might finally be on his side after learning his reasons for leaving the team hanging.