Should the New England Patriots part ways with head coach Bill Belichick after the 2023 season? 

This is one of the biggest storylines in New England at the moment, and many are split on the decision. 

However, one NFL Insider provides an alternative option that isn't being discussed as much. 

Appearing on The Pat McAfee Show on Thursday, Mike Lombardi spoke about a viral report, voicing his opinion on the matter. 

It began when NBC Sports' Tom Curran reported earlier this week that he had conversations after the Patriots lost to the Indianapolis Colts in Germany that "made it very clear that a decision was made" to part ways with the head coach at the end of the 2023 season. 

Since then, much speculation has begun and Lombardi, who spent time within the organization, provided some necessary context. 

"Well I do think Curran certainly has sources and I don't think he would have put this story out unless he felt really comfortable with it," Lombardi said. "He's done a great job. He's covered the team for a long time."

"I think the timing tells me that what the message really is, is we are not going to fire Bill Belichick in season," he added. "So if we lose by 21 points on Sunday to the Chiefs, don't come ask us that we're gonna fire him."

During this past offseason, Belichick signed a contract extension that puts him under contract for the 2023 and 2024 season. But nobody could have predicted that this Patriots would be entering Week 15 with a 3-10 record. 

Because of that, fans are calling for a change and Belichick is at the top of that list. 

But it's clear that he won't be fired. 

"And we can amicably sit down and say we want to change direction or maybe I want to change direction. Whatever that conversation is, it will happen at the end of the year. That's fine. But I think the partnership that has produced historical wins needs to at least respect one another at the end of the year to do it the right way, whatever the right way is," Lombardi said. "Is it bring him back? Is it not bring him back? I think that's really the issue here is do it the right way. This happens all the time in sports. We see it. But just do it the right way."

The NFL Insider also proposed one other idea that has been brushed over a lot this season. 

Belichick has acted as the head coach and general manager for the Patriots. And he is known for making some wild calls during the draft. 

While that might have worked in the past, it's clear that it is no longer working. So because of that, they could look to hire a general manager, while keeping Belichick as head coach. 

And nobody said it better than Lombardi. 

"I think what the conversation is going to center on is the shape how they visualize the company running over the next 10 years. They've had one man in charge of the team for so long," he said. "But maybe the Kraft family has decided we don't really want the lone star model. We need a more collaborative effort as we get later in our careers."

"You're not going to replace Bill Belichick. You're just not going to do it. You're not going to do it from a coaching perspective."

Regardless of what has happened this season, there is no denying that Belichick is arguably the best coach in the history of the National Football League. 

So if Belichick agrees to give up the GM role and remain as head coach, that's an opportunity that Kraft and the Patriots have to jump on.