Has Bill Belichick ever missed NFL Combine in Patriots HC's 48-year coaching history?
The 2023 NFL Combine has begun, with athletes from all over the country gathering to showcase their abilities in front of the various franchises' head coaches, general managers, scouts, etc. It is a significant aspect of the draft since it provides valuable information on many prospects, and nobody wants to miss the combine.
Events like the NFL Combine are vital for a coach like Bill Belichick, who has been coaching for 48 years, but the New England Patriots head coach will not be present this year. However, this will not be Coach Belichick's first absence from the combine.
When Tom Brady left the Patriots in 2020, coach Bill Belichick chose not to attend the combine and instead proceeded to scout a lesser-known prospect who wasn't invited to the combine.
As per Insider.com, Belichick went to Middle Tennessee State to scout Tyshun Render. Belichick watched the edge rusher's workout in pouring rain, and it seemed like the New England Patriots HC would like to draft him.
Render has only played in one NFL game in his career. It came for the Miami Dolphins in 2020, and has been out of the league ever since. The former MTSU edge rusher now plays in the USFL for the New Jersey Generals.
It goes on to show that even a legendary coach like Bill Belichick can make mistakes, as he skipped the NFL Combine to visit Render, which didn't wind up being helpful.
🤷♂️“About the only thing I can cheer for in Philadelphia is the National Anthem.” - Bill Belichick
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NFL Combine: Bill Belichick and Patriots should keep a close eye on multiple prospects
The upcoming NFL Draft and free agency will be very critical for the Patriots if they want to become contenders again. They currently have the 14th overall pick for the upcoming draft, which they could use to either draft a stellar receiver to support Mac Jones or add another defensive starlet.
Florida EDGE Brenton Cox Jr. putting on a show, as always, at the NFL Combine.
Cox worked with hands on with Bill Belichick and the #Patriots at the @ShrineBowl last month. A NE target for sure. https://t.co/253tpptmV5
There were concerns about Jones' future with the Patriots, but that appears to have been resolved, and the team is looking to help their young quarterback. Jones hasn't worked with the great offensive players around him, and the Patriots should keep a close eye on multiple prospects at the NFL Combine who can help their team.
Although coach Belichick won't be at the combine, he must have informed everyone in the Patriots organization about the players he would like a detailed report on ahead of the draft.