Bill Belichick admits Bengals got the best of him in Chad Ochocinco trade...and payback is on the way

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has been open about his mistakes in recent weeks, first acknowledging that he incorrectly utilized safety Patrick Chung in the safety’s first stint in New England, and on Wednesday he admit that a trade back in 2011 didn’t go as planned.

Belichick spoke about his relationship with the Brown family, the owners of the Cincinnati Bengals, and was discussing the respect he has for their family and organization. He also explained how he has been able to reach four trades with the Bengals over the years.

“The deals [rely on] being able to work something out with another organization for the right player and price, [so] both organizations feel good about [the trade],” Belichick said. “And some of those have worked out, maybe a little better for one side or the other. Really, Mike [Brown] got the better of the Chad Johnson trade.

“Still waiting for payback on that one,” Belichick said with a smirk and laugh. “That’s coming.”

The Patriots acquired running back Corey Dillon from the Bengals back in 2004 as the first trade between the two franchises under Belichick. New England sent a 2012 fifth round pick and a 2013 sixth round pick to the Bengals in 2011 for wide receiver Chad Ochocinco.

Ochocinco collected just 297 receiving yards and 1 touchdown in the regular- and post-season as he struggled to learn the Patriots offense. Ochocinco said that he struggled to fit in with the culture of the team and that it was difficult to succeed as an outside receiver in New England, and to this day he still jokes about his issues with the Patriots.

What might serve as salt in the wound is that the Bengals used that 2012 fifth round pick on wide receiver Marvin Jones, who has developed into one of the most efficient wide receivers in the NFL and signed a solid contract with the Detroit Lions.

The Patriots other trades include sending their 2012 first round pick and 2012 third round pick to the Bengals to move up and select Chandler Jones, and they recently send a 2018 seventh round pick to Cincinnati for linebacker Marquis Flowers.

If we’re keeping score, the Patriots are extremely far ahead on the register of these trades, but I guess Belichick isn’t happy with a 3-1 edge. The Bengals should beware of making a trade with New England this offseason.