in the AFC Championship Game at Gillette Stadium on January 22, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

Bob Kraft and Bill Belichick have a closely held secret they're guarding as if it were the Hope diamond

It looks like Bill Belichick could be around for a while

New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft says Bill Belichick will be the team's head coach for as long he wants.

Not exactly earth-shattering news that the NFL's best coach, who'll be making his unprecedented 7th Super Bowl appearance Sunday, has been given carte blanche by the organization for as long as he sees fit. 

What is kind of surprising, though, is that for all his accomplishments and accolades, there doesn't appear to be any end in sight to Belichick's 17-year run with the Pats.

According to Kraft, the two have discussed when that day might come, but it's something he won't be letting anyone else in on.

"We have a pact that we don't talk about that," Kraft told the Washington Post. ""He knows and I know. But he won't be done this year."

RELATED: Ahead of the Super Bowl, Donald Trump calls out NFL commissioner Roger Goodell

The soon to be 65-year-old Belichick, Kraft added, shows no signs that his passion for football is on the wane. And it's that love for the game that continues to "energize" him.

"He gets paid to do what he loves,"Kraft continued. "...And in life, that's one of the keys is that you love what you do. I really think he was put on this earth to coach football. He is so good at it and loves it and is energized. He's been with us 17 years. After the first three or four years, I would say to him, 'You leave late at night.' I wanted to know what I had and how much autonomy I could give. He would explain things to me. He's just energized by the work, which is very special."