Jan 11, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft holds a press conference at Gillette Stadium to answer questions about former head coach Bill Belichick’s (not pictured) exit from the team. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Prior to Thursday, the last time New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft spoke with the media was back in March at the NFL Owners’ Meetings. It was during that press conference that he delivered what later game to be a often-deliberated line, when asked about the importance of then-head coach Bill Belichick breaking the all-time coaching wins record in New England.
“We’re about winning and doing whatever we can to win,” Kraft said at the time. “That’s what our focus is. It’s very important to me that we make the playoffs. That’s what I hope happens next year.”
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At the time some speculated that message was a signal about Belichick’s job security – return to the playoffs, or the team would move on. Whether that was the intention or not, it ended up being the the case. The Patriots went 4-13 this season, missed the playoffs for the second year in a row and the third time in the four years since the departure of Tom Brady, and on Thursday – four days after the season ended – the Patriots and Belichick parted ways.
Following that news, Kraft spoke to reporters for the first time since March. While he didn’t take questions in the initial joint press conference with Belichick, he returned to the podium a few hours later to speak with reporters.
There have been a lot of questions building around the Patriots, not just about Belichick’s firing but the disappointing season as a whole. While Kraft didn’t address every issue, there was a good amount to be learned from his answers. Here’s what stood out…
Why the Patriots parted ways with Bill Belichick
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 11: Head coach Bill Belichick (L) of the New England Patriots shakes hands with owner Robert Kraft (R) during a press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 11, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Belichick announced he is stepping down as head coach after 24 seasons with the team. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
For a large segment of the fan base the decision to part ways with Belichick came as both a surprise and disappointment, given Belichick’s overall success. Kraft himself called Belichick the greatest coach of all time in his earlier Thursday statement. So then, why did he part with the man he called the GOAT?
“Well, the last three years have been pretty tough, I know for our dedicated fans and myself,” Kraft said, when asked why moving on from Belichick was the right decision. “In life, I just learned things happen, and our family is the custodian of this asset – the New England Patriots – and we know how important it is to the psyche of the community. And, what’s gone on here the last three, four years isn’t what we want, so we have a responsibility to do what we can to fix it to the best of our ability.”
“I think both of us felt that the time was right for each of us to go off in our separate directions,” Kraft added in another answer, when asked if he had any reservations about the decision.
Why Bill Belichick wasn’t traded
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 11: Owner Robert Kraft (L) speaks to the media as head coach Bill Belichick (R) of the New England Patriots looks on during a press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 11, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Belichick announced he is stepping down as head coach after 24 seasons with the team. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Even for those who wanted to see the Patriots move on from Belichick, many expected the team to receive some sort of compensation in a trade. Coaches can return valuable assets – last year, Sean Payton came out of retirement and still got the Saints a first-round pick from the Broncos.
Why wasn’t Belichick handled the same way. Kraft said it came down to a matter of respect, and compared Belichick’s departure to Brady’s.
“That’s an interesting question,” Kraft said when asked if he considered trading Belichick. “I’m fortunate in our family, our businesses are all private, and so we try to create a culture and develop an environment where people want to stay and stay long-term. And, I guess if you look at this as a transaction, he is so valuable. In how we could extract something, I didn’t think that was right. I didn’t think it was right for Tom Brady, who gave us 20 years, and I don’t think it’s right for Bill.”
“I think each of them earned the right to be in a position where they should do what’s right for them, given what they have done for this franchise,” Kraft continued. :So, some people might criticize me for not extracting as much value, and I understand that, but we just try to do what we think is right for the proper values and ability to operate and try to get people who want to come and feel that we’re going to treat them fairly.”
How Bill Belichick’s role evolved over time
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 11: Head coach Bill Belichick (R) of the New England Patriots and owner Robert Kraft (L) walk off the stage after a press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 11, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Belichick announced he is stepping down as head coach after 24 seasons with the team. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Another common talking point prior to Belichick’s parting was whether or not he’d give up any or all of his personnel responsibilities, and just focus on coaching. According to Kraft that was considered, but never deemed realistic.
“We thought about that, but…Think about it, when you have someone like Bill, who’s had control over every decision, every coach we hire, the organization reports to him on the draft, and how much money we spend. Every decision has been his, and we’ve always supported him,” Kraft explained. “To then take some of that power away and give it to someone else – accountability is important to me in every one of our companies, and where he had the responsibility and then someone else takes it, it’s going to set up confusion. And, ‘It was his pick and that was a bad pick’, or ‘He didn’t play them right’. It just wouldn’t work, in my opinion.”
Also notable in that answer is Kraft saying Belichick was in control of deciding “how much money [the Patriots] spend.” The Patriots’ spending has long been a topic of debate, and whether Belichick or Kraft set the budget. In this case, Kraft seemed to be putting that on his outgoing head coach.
As part of a follow-up answer, Kraft actually shared how Belichick came to be all-powerful within the Patriots’ organization. “Just to be clear, he didn’t have all that power and rights. I don’t think it happened until after the third Super Bowl, but it slowly happened, and, in my opinion, he earned it,” Kraft said. “It worked pretty well for most of the time. But, all of us need checks and balances in our life. We need what I say – I call it, we need doctor ‘no’s’ around us, people to protect ourselves from ourselves, protect us from ourselves. And, as things evolve and you get more power, sometimes people are afraid to speak up. I’m speaking about all companies. I think it’s good to have checks and balances, but once you have it, it’s kind of hard to pull it away and expect to have the accountability you want.
How will the Patriots honor Bill Belichick?
Jan 11, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft (left) and Patriots former head coach Bill Belichick (right) and hold a press conference at Gillette Stadium to announce Belichick’s exit from the team. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Of course, Belichick’s tenure and accomplishments with the Patriots deserve more recognition than a 10-minute press conference. Like they did with Tom Brady though, it sounds like that won’t happen until Belichick is done coaching all together.
“We had some long discussions, and I think it’s awkward while he’s still coaching to bring closure,” Kraft said on Thursday. “But, I hope when that’s all over, we can do something that properly honors him and respects him for what he’s done with us. Everything in life is the proper timing, so we’re going to have to wait for that.”
What will the Patriots be looking for in their next head coach?
Jan 11, 2024; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft holds a press conference at Gillette Stadium to answer questions about former head coach Bill Belichick’s (not pictured) exit from the team. Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
Before Kraft started taking questions, he said he wanted to just focus on Belichick and his tenure, adding “I know there’ll be a lot of questions about the future, and we’ll have a chance to cover that in the next few days – but, I’m not sure today is the time to do it.”
Despite that, Kraft got one question – the final one – in terms of what’s next. Specifically, what the Patriots will be looking for in their next head coach.
“I’ll just say we’re looking for someone who can help us get back to the playoffs and win. Believe me, after my family, this is really one of the two most important assets in my life. I am very upset when we don’t win games. It carries the whole week. So, I promise you I’ll be focused to do the best I can do to make sure we’re putting ourselves in the best long-term position to win for many years.”
