By John Sarianides

Bill Belichick is like that boyfriend who doesn’t want to take the next step in a relationship. He doesn’t want to make a long term commitment to someone. 

Like most people who are afraid of commitment, Belichick is always on the lookout for someone better. It is that fear of long term commitment that has made the Patriots the most successful franchise in NFL history.

Belichick treats running an NFL franchise like being a wishy, washy boyfriend. Other than Tom Brady, he does not want to commit to any players on his roster long term. He has figured out that if you don’t commit to a player long term, that is the key to success.

On the surface, that might seem cold but that is the harsh reality of doing business in the NFL today. Unlike the NBA, the NFL isn’t about the players. It’s about the teams and the decisions they make. Much of that is a by product of the CBA which still favors the owners because they don’t have to fully guarantee contracts. 

Belichick takes full advantage of this by assessing a monetary value on each position and each player on his roster. He is willing to pay the quarterback, offensive tackles, safeties and corners but he will only pay them if they fit the system. He will not overpay guys at the other positions and he will not pay guys at those positions if they don’t fit the system. 

Belichick has mastered the art of turning the roster over because his central focus is winning. He believe that if you want to win, you can’t be loyal or get attached to certain players. That flies in the face of conventional social norms but again, this is the NFL. It is a business. 

The Patriots are successful year in and year out because unlike other franchises which tend to over value their players and hold onto them too long, the Patriots are willing to move on. If you are not an elite player who fits the system, you will not get a second contract in New England.

Belichick can do this because he wins. His approach probably wouldn’t work if he didn’t have the success he has had here in New England.  

As much as he frustrates some Patriots, Belichick has the trust of most of the fan base. In “Bill We Trust” is the rallying cry every time Belichick makes a move. Good or bad, Patriots fans trust Belichick.

They trust a man who believes that loyalty and sentimentality are bad for business in the NFL. You can preach loyalty off the field but when you do it in the football arena, you lose. 

As long as Belichick keeps turning the roster over and having success, we can all deal with his lack of loyalty and commitment. After all, he is the bad boy of the NFL and only bad boys are afraid of commitment.