Tag: Robert Kraft

Robert Kraft says expectation is for Patriots to ‘make the playoffs’

Owner Robert Kraft has lofty expectations for the rebuilding Patriots

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft expects the team to hit the ground running in Year 1 of their rebuild.

When speaking with media members at the NFL annual meeting, Kraft was asked if he had a change in expectations with the new coaching staff and current state of the team.

Surprisingly, not much has changed as far as what he expects in 2024 and beyond.

“My hope and expectation is to make the playoffs,” said Kraft. “That’s something realistically, we have a new leadership team, we’re going to have a lot of young players we don’t know. A lot can happen. We might struggle more than I want. I really feel we have a good young team, and I just hope we don’t struggle. But in the end, everything is chit-chat until you get on the field.”

Kraft’s hopes and expectations are lofty for a team that still doesn’t have a starting quarterback.

Honestly, it’s likely wishful thinking from an owner that might have to show a deeper level of patience with the newly-constructed roster. The chances of the team being competitive would ultimately come down to them finding and hitting on a quarterback early, along with a massive upgrade at receiver through either the draft or trade market.

That doesn’t even take into account that the AFC East has suddenly emerged as arguably the toughest division in football. The Buffalo Bills are perennial contenders, and the Miami Dolphins were a drastically improved team that made the playoffs in 2023. Aaron Rodgers will be returning to the New York Jets in 2024 with more offensive weapons than ever before.

The expectation for the Patriots should be winning more than four games, and they can figure out the rest later on down the road.

Robert Kraft reveals why Patriots missed on signing Calvin Ridley

One of Robert Kraft’s reasons for the failed Calvin Ridley signing is sure to raise more than a few eyebrows

The New England Patriots’ inability to land wide receiver Calvin Ridley has been a hot topic of discussion. Patriots owner Robert Kraft weighed in on the matter on Tuesday morning.

The team still needs a true top receiver, and Ridley could have potentially been that for them. He finished the 2023 season with 76 catches for 1,016 yards and eight touchdowns. He ended up signing a four-year, $92 million contract with the Tennessee Titans.

Now, New England may have to find a playmaker through the draft and undergo a youth movement at the position. Kraft revealed a new wrinkle in the failed Ridley signing, via Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed.

“There was one outstanding receiver that unfortunately we couldn’t close. It was not because of finance,” Kraft said. “Clearly, his girlfriend wanted to be in the South. We had a situation where the taxes were, like, almost 10% higher. We offered- we were willing to keep going at that premium. But he didn’t want to be in the Northeast. And part of it might be the quarterback situation as well.”

These could certainly be viable reasons as to why the wide receiver did not end up with the Patriots.

Nevertheless, it doesn’t ignore the fact that the team still needs a top receiver. One has to wonder if these factors will limit the Patriots in the coming years, even if they take a rookie quarterback with the No. 3 pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

How Robert Kraft responded to backlash from Patriots docuseries

Robert Kraft comments on Bill Belichick and controversial Patriots docuseries

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft was on-hand at the NFL annual meeting fielding questions from media members on Tuesday morning.

It didn’t take long for the fallout surrounding the new docuseries “The Dynasty: New England Patriots” to be brought up. Multiple former Patriots players, including Devin McCourty, Rodney Harrison and Rob Gronkowski have pushed back on the series as being overly negative, particularly in its portrayal of former coach Bill Belichick.

A groundswell of backlash ensued in the aftermath with fans on social media calling Kraft out and blaming him for what was perceived as a hit piece on Belichick.

Kraft admitted he was disappointed “The Dynasty” focused more on the negatives than the positives.

“There were some really prominent people that were interviewed for hours and never were used,” said Kraft. “Little disappointed that there wasn’t more of a real positive approach, especially for Patriots fans who have lived the experience with us.”

When it came to Belichick, however, Kraft completely sidestepped a question on the former Patriots coach’s portrayal in the docuseries.

“I feel so privileged that we had Bill here. And you know, we hope when he’s finished that we’re gonna have a chance to honor him the way we did — we will do with Tom Brady this year,” said Kraft, via Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan. “You know, we did this little ceremony at halftime of the Eagles game, but it was not adequate. And we look forward to being able to celebrate putting him into the Patriots Hall of Fame on six, twelve, twenty-four (June 12). And, you know, I look forward to the privilege of putting Bill into the Patriots Hall of Fame one day in the future.”

That response isn’t likely to win over fans that have obviously been angered by the docuseries. There’s still a love that runs deep for Belichick, who was the architect behind the greatest dynasty in NFL history.

He might be gone, but he’ll clearly never be forgotten.

Rob Gronkowski responds to Robert Kraft’s Taylor Swift dating comments

Rob Gronkowski comments on Robert Kraft suggesting Taylor Swift should have dated him over Travis Kelce

Rob Gronkowski got a good chuckle out of New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft’s joking suggestion that Taylor Swift should have dated him instead of Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.

But as far as Gronkowski is concerned, he’s perfectly happy with his current girlfriend, Camille Kostek. When appearing on MassLive’s “Eye on Foxborough” podcast, the legendary tight end responded to Kraft’s comments.

“Kraft is always being silly,” Gronkowski said. “He’s always being silly. But I’m very happy to be with with my girl, Camille. She’s a sweetheart. She was actually a Patriots cheerleader. We go down in history. but Mr. Kraft always has a job. And he’s always got silly jokes out there too. So that’s just Mr. Kraft for you.”

Kraft was obviously having fun with the comments, while also praising Swift for her run of success.

When it comes to Swift and Gronkowski, maybe that superstar pairing will exist in another lifetime. Both are obviously happily coupled up right now and off the dating market.

Robert Kraft critical of Bill Belichick benching Malcolm Butler in Super Bowl

In “The Dynasty” docuseries, Robert Kraft commented on Bill Belichick’s unpopular decision to bench Malcolm Butler in Super Bowl LII

Former New England Patriots cornerback Malcolm Butler’s benching at Super Bowl LII was a big talking point in the Apple TV+ docuseries “The Dynasty: New England Patriots.”

Past and current members of the Patriots weighed in on Bill Belichick’s decision, including owner Robert Kraft, who was blunt in his assessment of the situation.

The Patriots defense could not stop the Eagles in that game, as Philadelphia recorded 538 total yards of offense.

The New England secondary struggled throughout the course of the game, and Butler’s absence was undoubtedly felt on the defensive unit. New England could not stop the Philadelphia passing attack in a game where the Eagles recorded 374 yards through the air with their backup quarterback, Nick Foles, under center.

“What has been told to me is that there was something personal going on between Bill and Malcolm that was not football-related,” Kraft said, as transcribed by AtoZ Sports’ Sophie Weller. “I always felt that every decision Bill had made had been to put what’s in the best interest of the team first and put emotion aside. But with Malcolm, he did just the opposite.”

Many of Belichick’s decisions are hard to argue with due to the sustained success the team had for nearly two decades. However, the decision to bench Butler undoubtedly looms as one of the most heavily criticized to this very day.

Robert Kraft recalls Gisele Bündchen’s fiery Bill Belichick rant

Gisele Bündchen clearly wasn’t happy with Bill Belichick’s treatment of Tom Brady near the end of the Patriots’ dynasty

The Apple TV+ docuseries “The Dynasty” is giving a deep dive into the New England Patriots’ near 20-year run as the greatest dynasty in sports.

One of the more intriguing subject matters in the story from the rise to inevitable fall of the Patriots was the drama unfolding behind the scenes.

Former Patriots coach Bill Belichick was looking to move on from Tom Brady due to concerns of the legendary quarterback’s age causing a rapid fall-off in production. Owner Robert Kraft recalled private meetings at home with Brady and Gisele Bündchen, Brady’s ex-wife.

One exchange in particular, Kraft remembered a fiery rant from Bündchen relating to Belichick’s treatment of Brady.

“I heard Gisele say, ‘That effin’ Belichick, he doesn’t treat my Tommy like a man,'” Kraft said, per the Boston Globe’s Ben Volin, via NESN’s Jason Ounpraseuth. “I realized how bad the situation was, and I said, ‘Tommy, if you want to go, I’ll work it out so you can go.'”

Brady went on to lead the Patriots to another championship at Super Bowl LIII, before finally parting ways with New England in 2020.

Both Brady and Bündchen would ultimately have the last laugh with Brady joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and leading that organization to a Super Bowl victory in his first year with the team.

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Robert Kraft releases statement on Matthew Slater retirement

Robert Kraft released a statement on Matthew Slater’s retirement, after 16 years

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft released a statement on the retirement of Hall of Fame special teams ace Matthew Slater.

Slater, one of the all-time great special teams players, had a decorated career with the Patriots. He officially announced he was hanging up the cleats on Tuesday, in what has been an offseason of change for the Patriots organization.

Reactions came pouring to Slater’s retirement, and that included a statement from Kraft. Slater was a constant for the Patriots in an ever-changing NFL landscape. Now, he will look to embark on the next chapter of his life, which almost undoubtedly includes a stop in Canton.

Kraft released the following statement via the Patriots’ official social media accounts.

It will certainly be different without Slater on the field and in the Patriots’ locker room in 2024. Nevertheless, all good things must come to an end.

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How to watch ‘The Dynasty’ documentary

Here’s how to check out the #Patriots documentary everyone is talking about:

Ever been curious to pull the curtain back or wish to be a fly on the wall during the New England Patriots’ dynasty years?

Thanks to Apple TV+, now you can.

The rise and controversial much-debated end to the Patriots dynasty can now be found on Apple. From dominant success and Super Bowl titles to off-field to scandals and finally the Tom Brady and Bill Belichick split, catch it all on Apple TV+.

To exclusively learn everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the Pats going all the way back to when Robert Kraft purchased the team, make sure to catch the documentary, which premieres on Feb. 16 on Apple TV+.

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch “The Dynasty” on Apple TV+” link=”https://apple.co/3SNuoPU”]

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Robert Kraft discusses missing link in Bill Belichick and Tom Brady relationship

Robert Kraft gave insight into the working relationship between Tom Brady and Bill Belichick behind the scenes

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft shed some light on the working dynamic between quarterback Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick, as part of a new docuseries on Apple TV+.

Brady, Belichick and Kraft were the successful trio that rocketed the Patriots from laughing stock of the NFL to one of the greatest dynasties in the history of modern sports. The combo of Brady and Belichick was able to win six Super Bowls together, as well as a plethora of conference championships and AFC East division titles.

However, things weren’t always as rosy as they seemed to be. Things ultimately came to a head in 2019, when Brady elected to leave the Patriots. He ended up winning one more Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, following his departure from New England.

Kraft gave insight into the missing link between Brady and Belichick, per The Athletic’s Chad Graff.

“Tom and I had a number of discussions about how Bill treated him,” Kraft said, via Graff. “Tommy is very sensitive. He was always looking for Bill’s approval, almost in a father-son kind of way. And that’s not Bill’s style ever to give that.”

This could be one of many interesting subplots in a docuseries that is going to be fun to watch. It also might highlight exactly when the Brady era began to fall apart in New England.

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Patriots reportedly unlikely to open GM search in 2024

The Patriots have yet to hire a general manager, and that could remain the case for the rest of 2024.

The New England Patriots’ vacant general manager job is the last high-end executive position left in the NFL, but according to a new report, it doesn’t seem like the team is in any rush to hire a candidate.

Director of scouting Eliot Wolf is reportedly making the personnel decisions, while Matt Groh has shifted his attention predominantly to college scouting.

There was a belief the team would leave everything in place after parting ways with Bill Belichick, and then they would open a search for a new general manager after the 2024 NFL draft. However, when speaking with sources leaguewide, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones is reporting there might not be a search.

Jones wrote:

There’s been some talk of the Patriots running a search after April’s draft, but sources leaguewide find that unlikely. Why allow the current group to chart the course of the future of the team (especially with the No. 3 overall pick) just to bring in a new leader shortly thereafter?

Keep in mind, the Patriots could simply promote Wolf to general manager, if things go well in free agency and the draft. This could end up being an unofficial tryout for the son of Hall of Fame general manager Ron Wolf.

The team would still have to interview two outside minority candidates, but there’s also the possibility that Eliot Wolf has been the man they’ve been eyeing for the job all along.

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