Patrick Chung Reveals the ‘Hardest Conversation’ He Ever Had With Bill Belichick

Patrick Chung and Bill Belichick worked together for ten seasons. The New England Patriots won a lot of games in this stretch. Of course, Belichick is someone who can drive players crazy, but his great football mind has led the Patriots to the Super Bowl on multiple occasions. Belichick is all-in when it comes to winning games. He will force players to do “meticulous film sessions” and they also have to put up with his angry outbursts. Well, that’s what it takes to win in the big league, right?

Chung knows it best. The veteran decided to retire earlier this offseason and he says this was the hardest convo he has ever had with his head coach.

Belichick selected Chung in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played 10 of his 11 NFL seasons in New England. He left the team in 2013 and played with the Philadelphia Eagles, but he returned to New England a year later.

Chung won three Super Bowls with the Patriots and he respects Belichick’s desire to bring the Lombardi Trophy every season.

The veteran opted out of 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns. Fans really wanted to see him back on the field, but he decided to retire. Chung confirmed his decision to retire a month after the 2020 season ended. It was really hard to inform Belichick of this decision.

“I just went and talked to Bill. That was probably the hardest conversation I’ve had in a while,” Chung said, via Mike Reiss of ESPN. “I respect him. He respects me. It’s more than player to coach with me and Bill. I felt like I was letting him down, but it was something I had to do for my family and me.”

Patriots safety Patrick Chung announces retirement after 11-year career. pic.twitter.com/xHgwFZI3Hr

— NFL (@NFL) March 18, 2021

Patrick Chung trusts Bill Belichick about finding the right replacement

Chung retired and his replacement, Kyle Dugger wanted to take over his No.23.

“That’s huge respect. A lot of people don’t have to ask: If it’s open, take it. For him to call and ask, when he didn’t have to, I appreciated that,” Chung said.

“He asked me for the number and I said, ‘Yes, absolutely.’ I told him to take it over. I pray to God he’s way better than I am, because that’s only going to help us as Patriots. Hopefully, he gets to that point. I hope he can. He’s young, he’s raw, he has the instincts, has all the intangibles, so I’m praying for that.”

Wear it well young savage @kingdugg_3

— Patrick Chung (@PatrickChung23) May 25, 2021

Chung was one of the best defenders in New England, but fans like Dugger so the pain will go away easily.