The surreal aspect of the big media debut of Bill Belichick’s post-New England Patriots coaching career was he shared a set with a character named “Mad Mel” on “The Pat McAfee Show” for its NFL Draft coverage.
On the McAfee program, contributor Ty Schmit impersonates ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr., but actually does it in a more cutting way than the current Kiper. It is good-natured, but it harkens back to when an edgier Kiper began to make his legend as the ultimate draftnik more than four decades ago.
While a bit odd to hear the Mad Mel character’s commentary precede Belichick’s on draft picks, it actually was apropos.
Belichick’s analysis was like vintage Kiper Jr., with one difference. Belichick is arguably the greatest NFL coach in history, so his words had much more impact. In his opening act, Belichick came to play.
At 72, Belichick told everyone what he really thought about the 20-something-year-olds being drafted on services he may have not known or feigned knowing as a coach, when he famously seemed unaware — “SnapFace,” anyone — of new platforms, like ESPN+, YouTube and TikTok, which were where the McAfee program aired on Thursday.
It is part of the Belichick media blitz that will make him millions as he bides his time in hopes of returning to the sidelines again. Sporting a blue suit with a pink tie and handkerchief, he didn’t hold back, no more so than about the six quarterbacks drafted in the first round.
It was especially intriguing when he discussed his old team’s choice of North Carolina’s Drake Maye with the third pick in the draft.
“Drake compares himself a lot to Josh Allen,” Belichick said. “He’s been doing that for quite a while. We’ll see about that.”
Belichick noted that Maye has some similar athleticism, but had already said earlier that his footwork needed fine-tuning. Belichick made headlines, as he wasn’t afraid to say what he really thought, a refreshing change from his terse press conferences as a coach.
He compared No. 1 pick Caleb Williams to Russell Wilson, but emphasized Williams had to become more dependable. He nitpicked a lot.
“Caleb Williams is really talented and he can make all of the throws..
If he can be a little more consistent he has a chance to be a really good player”
Bill Belichick #PMSDraftSpectacular https://t.co/t62JysLmpc pic.twitter.com/AgjuUsSY2j
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 26, 2024
Former Patriot and emerging broadcasting star Jason McCourty noted on social media as he watched his former coach that it “felt like I was back in a team meeting!”
Belichick was a long way from team meetings with McAfee’s new media show, which was a lot less serious than the traditional offerings on ESPN, ABC and NFL Network. Belichick seemingly grew more comfortable as the show went on, breaking down some film and telling the show’s video editor, Evan Fox, “Roll that back, Foxy,” when he wanted to emphasize a highlight.
Besides Mad Mel, “Boston” Connor Campbell was on the set with a tuxedo, along with former NFL players A.J. Hawk and Darius Butler. After New England’s Maye pick, Boston Connor, a Patriots fan, had a long commentary about how great Maye would be. Next, the audience heard from Belichick, who sounded as if he would have vetoed the pick if he were still running the show in Foxboro.
“Drake Maye makes some amazing plays that you really like..
He can really drive the ball and he’s a freak athlete” ~ Bill Belichick #PMSDraftSpectacular https://t.co/wJHIM1vS9Q pic.twitter.com/RvmUZpXDra
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 26, 2024
That wasn’t all. The stream included Oz Pearlman, also known as “Oz The Mentalist,” who does some magic tricks, which included taping up Connor’s tuxedo for most of the draft for one bit. After one Oz sequence, Belichick did the, “I’m not worthy” bowing motion.
Belichick played along with everything. He participated in a faux interview with commissioner Roger Goodell in an opening setup. He served as a booker, texting Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton to come on.
There was a draft board that the cowboy-hat-sporting Tone Digs, whose actual name is Anthony DiGuilio, would point to as Belichick explained options. Belichick even turned around to take a picture of the crowd at one point, breathing it all in.
This is just the start for Belichick. At the end of the draft Thursday, he announced he will do a weekly segment with McAfee on Mondays during the regular season.
While this is now set, he also has a semi-regular spot on ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” Manningcast lined up for the season. He is going to write a book on leadership. He may do a podcast and possibly a video show.
On Thursday, Belichick, seated with McAfee, Mad Mel and the crew, looked as if he was enjoying himself. He even smiled.
Quick clicks
— Prior to the draft starting, ESPN host Mike Greenberg interviewed Goodell. It wasn’t exactly Frost-Nixon. The funniest part was on ESPN when Greenberg asked about streaming and Goodell said that Amazon and YouTube have delivered younger audiences, emphasizing it was here to stay.
— Laura Rutledge stood out with her player family interviews on ABC. Strong, concise questions that seized on details.
— On NFL Network, Kaylee Hartung got the post-pick interview spot that was formerly Melissa Stark’s. Hartung teamed with Cam Newton on the red carpet as the NFL Network focused on the fashion aspect of the players in its lead-in, while ESPN had the “College GameDay” crew doing more football in the hours preceding the picks.
— One of my favorite Chris “Mad Dog” Russo go-to moves is when he looks to criticize someone or something by bringing up some random fact from the past. Case in point on Thursday leading up to the draft on his SiriusXM show, in trying to degrade analytics, he said that some of the assistant GMs were 24-year-olds out of Dartmouth, who never heard of the Ice Bowl. The accuracy of the statement is definitely in question, as I’m not sure there are any 24-year-old assistant NFL GMs, let alone just from Dartmouth, and, if so, I bet they have heard of the Ice Bowl. Nonetheless, it was funny.
— Beautiful tribute to the late Chris Mortensen by ESPN in the pre-draft coverage.
The NFL draft will never be the same without the beloved Chris Mortensen ❤️ pic.twitter.com/j5lgVLXY8b
— ESPN (@espn) April 25, 2024
(Photo of Bill Belichick at his January press conference announcing his exit from the Patriots: Eric Canha / USA Today)
Daniel Miller is a sports fanatic who lives and breathes athletics. His coverage spans from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis for sports enthusiasts.
