Bill Belichick and Andy Reid represent opposite ends of NFL coaching. They are two of the most successful head coaches in the league, but they embody different types of authority. Julian Edelman believes that Rob Gronkowski would never have dared to throw the tantrum with Belichick that Travis Kelce threw at Reid during Super Bowl LVIII.
Nearly six months ago, when the Vince Lombardi Trophy game between Reid’s Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers was at its peak, frustration got the best of Kelce. The star tight end confronted his head coach and demanded, using expletives, that he be sent onto the field.
The moment went viral. Social and mainstream media analyzed the incident from all angles, and lip readers provided similar versions of what Kelce said to Reid.
The vast majority condemned the tight end’s attitude. A few days later, Kelce apologized, saying it had all happened in the heat of the game. However, the moment continues to cause controversy, to the point that Edelman weighed in half a year later.
Belichick commanded respect
Belichick’s mere presence demanded respect, Edelman recalled in a talk on the “Games with Names” podcast. In 24 years at the helm of the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick knew how to earn the appreciation and respect of his players.
“No one’s touching Bill,”Edelman stressed. “With the amount of respect that he demanded on a daily basis, like when he came into the auditorium, people got up, shoulders were back, ears were pinned. That’s the kind of presence he has,” explained the Patriots wide receiver.
Belichick had control of New England’s football operations on and off the field. Being the head coach and de facto general manager, there was no one to challenge his authority, Edelman explained.
Although Reid also has the respect of his team, they are two different styles of coaching. That’s not counting the character differences between Gronkowski and Kelce, Edelman noted.
Travis Kelce has officially passed Julian Edelman for the second-most receiving yards in postseason history with 1,442+
He only trails Jerry Rice (2,245). pic.twitter.com/SeOkYA4Whz
— ESPN (@espn) January 30, 2023
Kelce vs. Gronkowski
Edelman shared the Patriots’ locker room with Gronkowski for nine years. During that time, the receiver learned that his teammate is a very competitive person on the field. However, he also has an affable and calm character off the field.
Furthermore, Edelman explained, Reid often allows his players to provide input during the game, especially members of the offense. In contrast, Belichick maintained complete control of tactics and strategy, particularly on defense.
“They have a different relationship,” Edelman explained of Reid and Kelce. “They’re a lot closer. He’s an offensive coach with an offensive player, so their dynamic is very different from the one Belichick had with Gronkowski.”
The 2024 NFL season is approaching rapidly, and from August we will begin to see how the relationship between the coach and his player develops. Although the incident is now behind them, it is difficult for a conflict of that magnitude not to leave some consequences in their interaction.
