Justin Jefferson “needs no further praise” declared Michael Lombardi in Thursday’s ‘COACH’ episode, setting the tone for Bill Belichick’s star-studded mid-season roster. Yet the real story lurks beneath the surface – Tyreek Hill’s glaring absence from a loaded receiving corps speaks volumes about what the six-time Super Bowl champion values in his pass-catchers.

Belichick’s “All-Belichick” team, revealed on his YouTube channel on November 1, assembled an elite receiving unit. Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase earned starting spots, with Chris Godwin and Terry McLaurin providing depth alongside CeeDee Lamb. The legendary coach doubled down on pass-catching firepower by selecting George Kittle, Trey McBride, and Brock Bowers at the tight end. Still, no room for the NFL’s most explosive playmaker.

The snub carries extra weight given Hill’s December 2023 criticism of Belichick’s handling of Mac Jones. “I just think Coach Belichick has put my dog in a bad situation,” Hill said on his podcast, defending the struggling quarterback. When Belichick was asked if he had let Jones down, his response cut like ice: “Just trying to put the best team out there that we can every week.”

Hill’s regular-season numbers against elite defenses might explain his absence. The Bills have become his kryptonite, holding him to just 5.74 yards per target – his worst against any NFL team. In eight regular-season matchups with Buffalo, Hill has never cracked 100 yards, topping out at 82 receiving yards.

Lombardi and Belichick’s discussion highlighted their preference for versatile receivers who can adjust on the fly. “Kevin O’Connell does a great job of moving him around,” Lombardi noted about Jefferson, while Belichick emphasized how “other receivers have to be able to adjust to him.” This adaptability seems to carry more weight than raw speed in Belichick’s evaluations.

Hill’s complex dance with Belichick

The timing adds another layer of intrigue to Hill’s omission. Last December, he didn’t just defend Jones – he took direct aim at the Patriots’ coaching staff. “Probably the coaches don’t like him,” Hill suggested, adding “It’s probably one of them situations where him and the coach have a situation.”

Meanwhile, Cowboys‘ Lamb, despite his team’s offensive struggles ranking 22nd in scoring (21.4 PPG), earned Belichick’s nod. His 45 catches for 613 yards and four touchdowns showcase the consistency Belichick prizes. “We play confident and fast, we can score with anybody,” Lamb declared Thursday, embodying the adaptable mindset that caught Belichick’s eye.

This selection carries extra weight considering Lamb’s current challenges. The Cowboys sit at 3-4, desperate to avoid falling to 3-5 in a division featuring the surging Commanders (6-2) and Eagles (5-2). Yet Belichick saw past the team’s struggles to recognize Lamb’s impact.

The message rings clear: Belichick values players who excel within the system over those who critique it from the outside. Perhaps Hill’s next matchup against Buffalo will prove him wrong – or further cement Belichick’s judgment.