DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 12: Head coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots reviews a printout on the sideline during a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on November 12, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
The New England Patriots’ dominant showing in the 2021 Draft was marred by Bill Belichick’s shocking revelation that longtime front office executive Ernie Adams would be leaving the organization as a whole this offseason.
It eventually became clear that Adams was retiring. The 68-year-old, of course, was notorious for keeping a low profile during his run with the Patriots, but he was vital to their success and his retirement can only be viewed as a gutting blow to the franchise.