Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots have mutually agreed to part ways after 24 seasons, as reported by NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero on Thursday, citing sources.

During his 24 seasons in Foxborough, Bill Belichick led the most decorated dynasty in NFL history. Under his guidance, the New England Patriots secured six Super Bowl victories, tying for the most by any franchise in NFL history, with a total of nine Super Bowl appearances. Belichick’s record of Super Bowl appearances as a head coach surpasses every franchise except the Patriots themselves.

During his 24 seasons with the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick led the team to some incredible achievements. They had a great regular-season record of 266 wins and 120 losses, winning the AFC East title a whopping 17 times. From 2009 to 2019, they set a record with 11 consecutive division titles. This is more than any other coach with a single team, beating Tom Landry’s record of 12.

Belichick, who is 71 years old, notched a total of 296 wins with the Patriots, including playoff victories. This makes him the second-winningest coach with a single team in NFL history, just behind George Halas with the Bears, who had 324 wins.

Belichick is part of an exclusive group of coaches who spent 20 or more seasons with one team, a list that includes legends like George Halas, Curly Lambeau, Tom Landry, Don Shula, Steven Owen, and Chuck Noll – all Hall of Famers.

Jerod Mayo, the Patriots’ inside linebackers coach, has long been considered a potential successor to Belichick and is currently seen as the leading internal candidate for the head coaching job in New England, according to Rapoport. There’s also speculation that Belichick might consider coaching the Atlanta Falcons, who currently have a vacant head coaching position.

The Patriots excelled in the playoffs under Belichick, winning 30 out of 42 games in 19 playoff appearances, the most by any coach in NFL history. Belichick, widely seen as the best coach in recent times, received only three NFL Coach of the Year awards, which seems relatively low. Despite the modest recognition, the Patriots remained a top team for over 20 years, unlike other teams that had quick ups and downs.

Belichick introduced The Patriot Way to the NFL, known for his tough press conferences and the “No Days Off!” mantra during championship wins. His impact extended beyond the Patriots, influencing the entire NFL during his tenure.

Belichick’s start with the Patriots was unique. Initially rejecting the New York Jets, he famously wrote his resignation on a napkin, but a deal was eventually worked out, marking the beginning of the Belichick era in New England. Despite a slow start with a 5-11 record in 2000, the Patriots quickly turned things around.

In his second year, Belichick made a crucial decision by sticking with Tom Brady as the quarterback, resulting in their first Super Bowl win. His strategic brilliance in Super Bowl XXXVI against Marshall Faulk and “The Greatest Show On Turf” is widely regarded as one of the best defensive plans ever.

Guided by a formidable defense under Belichick and outstanding plays by Brady, the Patriots secured consecutive Super Bowls in 2003 and 2004. They were the final team to achieve this, claiming the Lombardi Trophy in back-to-back seasons.

The Patriots underwent various changes under Belichick’s leadership. They initially excelled in defense and later evolved into an electrifying offense during the Brady-Randy Moss era. Subsequently, they transformed into a team that secured three consecutive AFC Championships from 2016 to 2018, featuring key players like Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman. Throughout the years from 2003 to 2019, the Patriots consistently made the playoffs, except in 2008 when Brady suffered a Week 1 injury. Despite this setback, they still managed to win 11 games with Matt Cassel as the quarterback.

The Patriots encountered controversies like Spygate and Deflategate, but their winning streak persisted.Throughout Belichick’s tenure, the Patriots experienced notable playoff moments, including their first championship win and back-to-back Super Bowls. Memorable achievements also include a perfect 16-0 regular season that concluded with a Super Bowl loss, exciting victories against the Seahawks and Falcons, and a standout defensive performance against Sean McVay’s Rams in Super Bowl LIII.

Even after Brady’s departure in 2020, Belichick played a crucial role in guiding the Patriots to the playoffs in 2021, with rookie Mac Jones at quarterback.

However, the last two years presented challenges for Belichick. Questionable decisions in drafting and coaching led to struggles for the Patriots. The young quarterback, Jones, faced difficulties, and the team couldn’t bounce back.

In 2023, the Patriots had a tough season, finishing with a 4-13 record, marking the worst in Belichick’s career. Before 2023, they hadn’t experienced a season with 12 or more losses since 1992.

In this challenging season, the Patriots faced issues with scoring points and turnovers, ranking among the worst in the NFL. The defense also encountered difficulties, allowing a significant number of points.

The season concluded with a 17-3 loss to the Jets. Shortly after, Belichick mentioned it was too early to discuss his future. However, three days later, the significant story in the NFL reached its conclusion. The conclusion of Belichick’s time with the Patriots wasn’t smooth, but it marked an extraordinary era filled with many successes. They secured Super Bowl victories, boasted Hall of Fame players, enjoyed championship parades, and faced the occasional grumpy press conference. Belichick’s detailed talks became a part of history, establishing a dynasty that will be used as a benchmark for others in the years to come.