Bill Belichick gives his two cents on whether teams should rest or play players during final week of regular season

Former NFL head coach Bill Belichick has prepared for the playoffs 19 times in his career. He's coached in an NFL-record 44 playoff games.

With Week 17 wrapping up tonight and the final week of the NFL season taking place next weekend, some teams will bench players for various reasons. This means more backups will get reps and snaps in the final regular game of the season.

Speaking on the "Pat McAfee Show" today, Belichick gave his point of view on whether teams should rest or play starters in the final week of the regular season. He thinks it's situational and all depends on a certain player's status, whether they need to get better and play more snaps or get healthier with more rest.

"I think each situation is different, each team is different," Belichick opined. "And in the end, as a head coach, I think it's, you know, your responsibility as a head coach to do what's best for the team, and you just put the team first.

"So, in some cases, that could be to rest a particular individual, maybe who has a nagging situation or condition, if your team is not playing well, particularly in a certain area, maybe they need to play more."

Bill Belichick reveals his Instagram account has been blowing up amid transfer portal interest

Bill Belichick during North Carolina Tar Heels Present New Football Coach Bill Belichick - Source: Getty

It's 2024 (almost 2025) and Bill Belichick is recruting college players via social media. Yes, it is really happening.

Belichick agreed to become the University of North Carolina's next head football coach on Dec. 11. With the new portal transfer landscape of NCAAF, Belichick said his Instagram account has been flooded with a lot of recuriting as he looks to bolster UNC's roster ahead of the 2025 season.

“Definitely recruiting. A lot of guys going into the portal. Seems like every day, as teams' season’s concluded with the bowl games, and then the Playoff here, that’s coming up.

"So, a lot of guys here in the portal. A lot of people contacting us, want to come to Carolina. My Instagram account has been busy. So, scrolling through that. I never thought I’d be saying that, but here I am, joining the 21st century. That’s been good."

Belichick signed a three-year deal worth $30 million with the Tar Heels. He inherits a UNC team that went 6-7 this past season while losing the UConn Huskies this past weekend in the Fenway Bowl.