Why ex-Jets coach Eric Mangini almost fought Bill Belichick in 2008

The Eric Mangini-Bill Belichick rivalry almost got physical in 2008.

A new book by ESPN’s Seth Wickersham, “It’s Better to Be Feared,” recounts a moment from before the 2008 season when the then-Jets head coach charged Belichick at the league meetings. This happened after the Patriots coach refused to talk to Mangini’s wife, Julie. Mangini had to be restrained by other coaches from throwing a punch at Belichick and, according to Wickersham, yelled “Hey Bill, f— you!”

This is a hilarious development addition to one of the weirdest relationships in the Jets-Patriots rivalry.

The Jets hired Mangini in 2006 following a five-year stint working under Belichick in New York. The series of events that followed featured Belichick reportedly changing the locks at the Patriots’ facility when Mangini tried to collect his belongings, alleged tampering by Mangini with Patriots players, a rumor that Mangini blew the whistle on SpyGate, as well as multiple awkward postgame handshakes.

New York fired Mangini after that 2008 season. He finished 23-25 as the Jets’ coach, including a 1-7 record against Belichick and the Patriots.