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NFL Bill Belichick
September 10, 2024 By  AFC South, NFL, Tennessee Titans

Bill Belichick Rips Controversial 2nd Year Quarterback For Terrible 4th Quarter Interception In Season Opener, “There’s No Upside To That Play”

Despite not getting a coveted head coaching position in this year’s firing/hiring merry-go-round, Bill Belichick has seemingly found his footing at the forefront of NFL media to start the season.

He has certainly done so more so than new highly compensated Fox commentator, Tom Brady, whose NFL announcing debut was largely panned by audiences, with many calling for former lead analyst, Greg Olsen, to be bought back to the #1 spot ahead of Brady.

Bill Belichick Has Gone From Grump To Media Darling In Just 9 Months

NFL, Pat McAfee
Pat McAfee dons an Iowa basketball t-shirt, gifted by Iowa women’s basketball coach Lisa Bluder, during his show Friday, March 22, 2024 from the Field House in Iowa City, Iowa.

Belichick has charmed his way back into football fans’ hearts with his light-hearted weekly appearances on The Pat McAfee Show, and shown us why his paramount knowledge of the game is unrivalled in his new series on Underdog Fantasy, “COACH”.

After another entertaining cameo on ESPN’s “Manningcast”, Belichick relived much of the week’s action on his weekly McAfee show appearance on Tuesday, where he had some rather – in his classic Belichick way – scathing remarks concerning a very poor play from one of the league’s youngest quarterbacks, per Ari Meirov.

Bill Belichick Goes In On Will Levis For Poor Decision Making In Game-Losing Interception Throw

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Feb 2, 2020; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick (left) with girlfriend Linda Holliday before Super Bowl LIV between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Throughout his years as head coach and de facto general manager of the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick was famed for, let’s say, some “vocal brutality” towards even his most senior players, including Julien Edelman and the GOAT, Tom Brady.

Yet, in his short stint in the media, we have not really seen him go off in a big way on any individual players.

Until now, at least.

Granted, Levis’ interception is certainly one of the worst I have seen for a long time, and for those who did not catch it on Sunday, you can find a detailed breakdown of it here.

In the clip, Belichick specifically pivots to this, admittedly dreadful pick, in the middle of the conversation with McAfee and AJ Hawk.

“Even if you hit it, what do you really have? Not much. And if you don’t hit it then, you know, you lose the game. There’s no upside to that play, only downside…that’s just terrible decision making.

If you complete this pass, what’s the upside? You gain one yard, you gain two yards….what’s the downside? You lose the game.

You just can’t make those kind of decisions; even if that ball is then complete, there’s no upside to it.”

Will Levis Facing Pressure In His 2nd NFL Season

Tennessee Titans
Aug 25, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (8) passes against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Safe to say the 8 x Super Bowl winning coach was less than impressed with the former Kentucky QB, who is facing a critical 2nd year in the league and will attempt to silence his critics after a very up-and-down first season in the NFL, where he threw for 1800 yards, 8 touchdowns and 4 interceptions in his first 9 starts, going 3-6 down the stretch as the Tennessee Titans fell to last in the AFC South.

Can Levis play up to the billing of his excellent arm talent? We shall see. Yet, it is safe to say that if he does begin to shore up his play as the season goes on, the Titans may be looking for another franchise quarterback come spring 2025.

For Additional Content

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About Daniel Arwas

Daniel is a sports writer for Gridiron Heroics, sports betting aficionado and former UK American Football Champion. He is an avid Green Bay Packers fan, but covers all NFL teams, and occasionally delves in College Football. Can be followed on X @danielarwas.

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