Bill Belichick now has sole possession of second place on the NFL’s all-time wins list.
Sunday’s 22-17 victory over the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium was the 325th of Belichick’s career, including playoffs, moving him past Chicago Bears legend George Halas. He now trails only Don Shula, who won a record 347 games from 1963 to 1995.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft visited the postgame locker room to present Belichick with a game ball, saying he’s “pretty proud also that 288 of those 325 wins came in the last 23 years with the Patriots.”
Belichick downplayed the accomplishment — as he did when speaking with reporters a short while later — saying the credit goes to the players.
“I told you, it’s the truth now: Players win them,” Belichick told the team. “Players win them. Players win games. I’m glad we have a lot of good players on this team.”
After his remarks, longtime co-captain Devin McCourty rushed in to douse Belichick with two water bottles while his teammates cheered.
Several Patriots players saluted Belichick during their postgame news conferences, with quarterback Mac Jones offering “huge congratulations.”
“Just to be his quarterback right now is a huge blessing,” Jones said.
Belichick also presented special teams captain Matthew Slater with a game ball, as he moved into second place on the Patriots’ all-time games played list. Only Tom Brady has appeared in more games for the franchise.
The 4-4 Patriots will host the 3-4-1 Indianapolis Colts next Sunday at Gillette Stadium.
