On January 27, 2000 Patriots owner Robert Kraft received the letter below from former Jets Director of Football Operations, Bill Parcells. That letter stated an agreement between Parcells and Kraft that awarded the Patriots the opportunity to talk to Jets Head Coach Bill Belichick. The letter reads:
Dear Bob:
This letter is intended to memorialize our conversation from last night, which occurred around 11:00pm.
The New York Jets hereby grant permission to the New England Patriots to talk to Bill Belichick about any position they desire.
If Bill Belichick accepts and assumes a position with the New England Patriots, and reports to work on or before Monday, January 31, 2000 then, the New York Jets trade to the New England Patriots their 5th round pick in the 2001 annual NFL selection draft, and their 7th round pick in the 2002 annual NFL selection draft, and the New England Patriots trade their 1st round pick in the 2000 annual NFL selection draft (16th overall), their 4th pick in the 2001 annual NFL selection draft, and their 7th round pick in the 2001 annual NFL selection draft.
Formal trade papers will follow, and all copies will be filed with the league office.
Sincerely,
Bill Parcells
With that agreement consummated, Bill Belichick became the Head Coach of the New England Patriots. For the past 20 years, the Patriots have experienced unprecedented success with 267 wins, 17 division titles, 9 Super Bowl appearances, and 6 Super Bowl championships. A first round pick and some other pick swaps led to the Patriots landing arguably the greatest coach in league history. Belichick finished the 2019 season with 304 career wins behind only Don Shula (347) and George Halas (324) on the all-time head coaching list.
