5 of Bill Belichick's most questionable decisions as Patriots GM

#3 - Signing Cam Newton during the 2020 free agency period

New England Patriots quarterback Cam Newton

Entering their first season without Tom Brady in 20 years, the Patriots were in need of a new quarterback prior to the start of the 2020 NFL season.

Bill Belichick decided to sign Cam Newton, who had missed almost the entire 2019 NFL season due to injuries and hadn't had a great statistical year since the 2015 season.

Belichick and the Patriots must have believed that they could help get Cam Newton back to a version of his old MVP form, but that's not how things played out.

Newton posted a disappointing 7-8 record while throwing just eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The Patriots missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2008 season.

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#2 - Selecting N'Keal Harry in the 2019 NFL Draft

New England Patriots wide receiver N'Keal Harry

Bill Belichick selected wide receiver N'Keal Harry in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft with the 32nd overall pick. He has recorded just 57 receptions for 598 yards and four touchdowns across his three years with the Patriots. He appears to be a huge bust.

While Belichick has made some questionable draft picks over the years, this one may be the worst of them all. What makes it particularly bad are the other wide receivers he passed on to select Harry. This includes Deebo Samuel, AJ Brown, DK Metcalf, Diontae Johnson, and Terry McLaurin, who all turned out to be stars.

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#1 - Allowing Tom Brady to leave in free agency

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady

Bill Belichick and Tom Brady couldn't come to an agreement on a contract extension following the 2019 NFL season. Belichick ultimately decided to let Brady walk, and two years later it looked like a terrible decision. If Belichick thought Brady was on the verge of a decline, he was wrong.

Brady won the Super Bowl in his first season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He followed that up by leading the entire NFL in passing yards and touchdowns in his second year. He has plenty left in the tank as he prepares for another year ahead of the 2022 NFL season.