Bill Belichick on why he didn’t like resting starters: One of the traits of a Bill Belichick team — particularly during his unprecedented run of success with the Patriots — was that he mostly kept starters on the field even when the outcome (be it the specific game or the wider playoff picture) was decided.
In the moment, Belichick generally avoided providing explanations for his thinking. Despite questions about the wisdom of leaving franchise pillars like Tom Brady or Rob Gronkowski (among others) in to play and risk injury in so-called “meaningless” games after the team had clinched its playoff spot, Belichick usually eschewed the lengthier quotes (per his style).