BOSTON (WHDH) - New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick spoke Friday about the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has presented as New England works to rebuild its roster heading into the 2020 season.
RELATED: New Patriots star Cam Newton has made his way to Gillette Stadium
Six players, most notably, Dont’a Hightower and Patrick Chung, have decided to opt-out of the upcoming 2020 season due to coronavirus concerns.
Hightower and Chung were leaders on the team’s top-ranked defense last year and will certainly be missed on the field. But, Bellichick said he understands the reasoning behind those players’ tough decisions.
“I respect all of them … and I respect all the players on our team,” he said. “We all have to make decisions and, you know, I talked to them, talked to those guys and they explained their situation and you know they had to make the decision that was best for them and I, I totally respect and support it 100 percent.”
The Pats will begin training and conditioning on Monday. Unpadded practices on August 12 and full practices on August 17.
(Copyright (c) 2024 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)