New England Patriots

Patriots Daily: Kraft’s Press Conference; NFL Job Openings

Published

1 year ago

January 12, 2024

New England Patriots team owner Robert Kraft faces reporters Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass., during an NFL football news conference held to discuss the departure of former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. Belichick's departure brings to an end to his 24-year tenure as the architect of the most decorated dynasty of the league's Super Bowl era. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick met with the media yesterday following a “parting of the ways” between the two parties. Two hours later, Kraft held a second press conference by himself, and answered questions. Although the second press conference originally felt unnecessary, it ended up shining light into some of the thought process behind the decision.

Kraft spoke more about it being a mutual and amicable decision to part ways with Belichick. It was clear that was a message that the organization wanted to convey. When asked a question about the Belichick vs. Brady narrative in terms of who deserved credit for the Patriots incredible run, Robert Kraft took the diplomatic road. “I think they’re both the best at their professions, and we were lucky to have them together for two decades” the CEO responded.

Ultimately the decision came down to what is often the case when somebody loses their job. Ownership is looking for better results than they have gotten in recent years. I opined weeks ago that the best way to achieve this was to allow Bill Belichick to continue coaching, but change the power structure of the front office. Earlier this week Belichick indicated a willingness to relinquish power in order to continue in New England. However, Kraft yesterday explained why he didn’t believe that was the best path moving forward.

“Yeah, we thought about that, but, I’ve had experience running different businesses and trying to develop a team. Think about it, when you have someone like Bill (Belichick), 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.”

So now the New England Patriots are left needing to fill both roles once occupied by Bill Belichick. Who will be the next Head of Football Operations for the Patriots? Who will be New England’s next head coach? Those answers should come soon.

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Fun Fact of the Day

Today is the birthday of former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Drew Pearson. The Hall of Fame player finished his career (1973-to-1983) with 489 receptions, 7,822 receiving yards, and 48 touchdown receptions.

New England Patriots legend Stanley Morgan finished his NFL career (1977-to-1990) with 557 receptions, 10,716 receiving yards, and 72 touchdown receptions. Morgan is not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.