It’s cutdown day in the NFL, the day when every roster has to get down to 53, and that means hundreds of professional football players become unemployed today. For Patriots coach Bill Belichick, that makes it a miserable day.
“It’s the worst part of the job,” Belichick said. “You start with 90 players and you know you’re going to have to release 37 of them or 37 of them can’t make your roster – it’s usually more than that because other players come and are part of that process, too.”
Belichick said he feels badly for the players who won’t make the team simply because of the reality of the numbers.
“Guys work hard, they give you everything they’ve got, they go out there and compete, and not everybody can make it,” Belichick said. “It’s always a tough time of year for myself and all the other position coaches as well, because those guys spend a lot of time with those players in meetings, watching film with them, out on the practice field in smaller groups, and really try to develop a good working relationship with those players and it’s hard to see it end. But unfortunately, we all understand that’s part of the process and the business.”
When you’re a lifelong football coach like Belichick, final cut day is something you’re accustomed to, but that doesn’t make it easy.
“It doesn’t make it any easier, but it’s something you have to deal with every year,” Belichick said. “It doesn’t really get any easier. It’s always a grouping of people and you’re affecting their lives and their families and their careers and trying to do what’s best for the team, but that still can be tough. It is tough.”