Tag: Robert Kraft

Robert Kraft discusses ’emotionally difficult’ decision to bench Drew Bledsoe

“I was heartbroken because I felt a connection, and I didn’t think it was fair on a human basis.”

Robert Kraft has a history of drawing strong emotional connections with his franchise quarterbacks.

Kraft’s relationship with Tom Brady after 20 seasons has grown incredibly strong, but he had a similar feeling toward Drew Bledsoe in 2001 — when everything changed. Bledsoe was featured in ESPN’s “E:60” documentary, shedding light on some important moments of his life and career.

Bledsoe was at the helm for the New England Patriots for eight seasons before infamously getting injured and replaced by Brady. Kraft bought the Patriots in 1994 and Bill Belichick started coaching in 2000. He wasn’t the legendary coach he is now, but Kraft trusted his instinct on keeping Brady in as the starter.

Belichick made the right decision, but Kraft had difficulty with it initially.

“I was heartbroken because I felt a connection, and I didn’t think it was fair on a human basis,” Kraft said. “Drew came to me and expressed his frustration. I went and met with Bill, and Bill explained to me his thinking. I mean, I could have stepped in especially at that time. I had deep discussions with Bill. I was bothered, but I trusted Bill to make the final decision as he’s more capable than I am. Although, emotionally it was very difficult.”

Six Super Bowl victories and 20 seasons later, the Patriots are still beneficiaries of a very difficult decision. Fast-forwarding to the present, these emotions still apply to Brady and his looming free agency decision. Brady, 42, is entering free agency with an open mind and Kraft openly said he wanted Brady to stay with the Patriots or retire.

That will play a heavy factor in Brady’s NFL future, but once again, Belichick will have the final say.

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5 thoughts on Patriots reportedly readying for Tom Brady to test free agency

Robert Kraft is reportedly comfortable with Tom Brady entering free agency.

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft is comfortable letting quarterback Tom Brady test free agency in 2020, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. So in all likelihood, that’s exactly what Brady will do. When the tampering period opens on March 16, the quarterback will begin discussions with teams, who are likely to present pitches (much like NBA teams have done for major free agent stars). The market for Brady, a six-time Super Bowl champion, will probably be robust.

The Patriots, meanwhile, will surely monitor Brady’s movements and prospects in hopes of retaining him. But Bill Belichick will likely also prepare New England’s roster for the quarterback’s potential departure. Here are five thoughts on how this process is shaping up, now that Brady’s foray into free agency feels imminent.

1. The chances of the Patriots retaining Tom Brady have fallen

Because Brady seems poised to test free agency, the Patriots will be short $7.5 million. Brady’s previous contract goes void when the new league year begins, which means his signing bonus (already paid in full) is no longer pro-rated against the cap. So instead of hitting the cap at $7.5 million in 2020 and the same in 2021, that money consolidates into 2020 as a $15 million cap hit. That’s fewer dollars for New England to lure Brady. And if Brady uses free agency to leverage for more money, that could be a problem for the Patriots, who have expiring contracts with safety Devin McCourty, guard Joe Thuney and linebackers Kyle Van Noy and Jamie Collins, among others.

Even if Brady doesn’t demand a big contract, Bill Belichick will have a harder time supplying the supporting cast, which is reportedly important to the quarterback.

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Report: Tom Brady, Patriots haven’t sat down for contract negotiations

“Not contractually. They haven’t had negotiations,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter said.

Tom Brady and the New England Patriots haven’t yet sat down to discuss contract negotiations, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Schefter joined WEEI’s ‘The Greg Hill Show’ on Wednesday and elaborated on the situation.

“Not contractually. They haven’t had negotiations,” Schefter said. “They haven’t sat down to have the conversation they need to have — ‘Hey, what do you want to do?’ I am sure they are talking generally. Yeah, I am sure. They were at the Super Bowl on Sunday together.”

Brady is hitting free agency for the first time in his career and there are teams interested in the 42 year old quarterback. Because of his short window left in the league, Brady will have to choose wisely and play for a team that’s ready to win right now.

When it comes to the report that New England is willing to pay Brady $30 million a year to stay, Schefter’s not believing it. “I don’t think they can do that, but OK let’s not let facts get in the way here,” he said.

There will be a sense of urgency with the situation and Schefter believes March 1 will be a date to look out for. The Patriots waited too long to make a decision with Rob Gronkowski last season and it left them with one of the worst tight end corps in the league.

“I am just saying if you’re New England, you need to get that answer,” Schefter said. “You can’t repeat at quarterback what happened at tight end last year. At tight end last year Rob Gronkowski announces the eve of the owners meetings in late March he’s retiring. We were two weeks into free agency at that point in time. There’s no other suitable alternatives on the free agent market at tight end and New England really never filled the position all year long. They did the best they could, but there’s nobody like that.”

It’s very possible the Patriots retain their legendary quarterback this offseason, but it’ll take a lot of work from both parties.

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Have Tom Brady and the Patriots started posturing for their contract negotiations?

There was big news on Tom Brady this weekend.

Super Bowl Sunday brought buzz around Tom Brady’s impending free agency decision. Finally, there were a few tangible pieces of news.

But first, there was something entirely flimsy (as usual). Brady’s cryptic tweet was reported to have nothing to do with a retirement or free agency announcement. Instead, it was a teaser for a Hulu commercial, and spoofed upon the expectations that it might be such an announcement. While folks puzzled over what Brady’s tweet meant, the photo was just an effort to build the hype for his commercial and an indirect attempt to sell streaming video subscriptions.

But then we got more significant nuggets. The Patriots are willing to pay in excess of $30 million to retain Brady, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. New England will extend itself to keep the quarterback, per NBC Sports Boston’s Tom Curran. Brady, meanwhile, is looking for a strong supporting cast, and not just a big offer, per Rapoport. If the Patriots’ offer comes up short, there will be teams waiting for Brady to hit free agency. The Las Vegas Raiders are among the teams ready to pounce on Brady, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Chargers will try to make a pitch, per Rapoport. For now, Brady and the Patriots are staying in contact, the quarterback told Westwood One sports radio.

That’s a lot of information packed into one weekend. Let’s break it down.

  1. Ready with a $30-million-per-year offer? The Patriots are apparently trying to stay competitive financially. A contract is defined by how it’s structured, but that sum would almost surely put Brady among the highest-paid quarterbacks. It’s not something we’re accustomed to hearing: Tom Brady, the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL. Brady isn’t in that pay bracket because he previously liked to help the team keep cap space for a supporting cast. Will this year be different?
  2. More talent? Brady wants more talent — and he also wants more money. As Brady has seen for the last 20 years, sometimes quarterbacks can’t have both. The Patriots have roughly $40 million in cap space. How much cap space will New England have left if it gives Brady a two-year, $60 million contract?
  3. Teams already waiting in line? The news that L.A. and Las Vegas are interested in entering the Brady sweepstakes is unsurprising. Philip Rivers and the Chargers seem ready to part ways, and Raiders coach Jon Gruden appeared to fatigue on quarterback Derek Carr. There will likely be more openings, perhaps in places like Tennessee and Tampa Bay. It’s Tom Brady, the six-time Super Bowl champion. Most teams will be at least interested.

It’s unclear when Brady and the Patriots will sit down to talk about the contract and a potential extension. However, Brady could make his decision just before or during free agency, if he must, per Rapoport. The new league year starts on March 18, which is when Brady could sign with another team. He can begin negotiations with other teams on March 16 during the legal tampering period.

In the meantime, the Patriots have exclusive negotiation rights to Brady. The relationship between Brady, Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft and the Patriots may grow tense amid this long wait.

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What Patriots are saying about Dante Scarnecchia’s retirement

The definition of the Patriot Way

After 34 seasons with the New England Patriots, offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia is calling it quits.

The Patriots will have a tremendous void to fill, but they have time to figure out a replacement. Robert Kraft, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady made sure pay respects to man that kept the offense’s foundation strong. New England doesn’t typically carry the most talented offensive line, but Scarnecchia always found a way to make it work.

Kraft released a statement shortly after Scarnecchia announced his retirement.

“Dante Scarnecchia has been unbelievable in every way. As a coach, he was extraordinarily talented at teaching his players and bringing the most out of each of them,” Kraft said. “Dante put everything he had into helping his players achieve their maximum potential — the mark of a great coach. His contributions to our team and to the game of football are unprecedented over the last four decades. Yet even more remarkable is the impact Dante has had on countless players, coaches and staff members who have walked through our doors.

“He modeled the principles he believed in through his hard work, diligence and integrity. He held himself accountable. He trained alongside his players. He treated everyone with respect. There truly is no way to sum up the incredible career he’s had, the positive impact he’s made on our franchise or how much he will be missed. We are forever grateful for Dante and wish him the absolutely best in his next chapter, along with his lovely wife Susan and his family. The New England Patriots are better because of Dante Scarnecchia, and he will always have a home with us.”

Belichick followed up with a thoughtful comment.

“It was a privilege to coach with Dante for so long,” Belichick said. “I knew that long before his initial retirement and throughout a second act of continued excellence. Dante is among the very best assistant coaches ever.”

Brady commented on the Patriots’ Instagram post, showing his respect for the pivotal assistant coach.

Scarnecchia, 71, was the longest-tenured coach in 2019 and he’s spent the most time as a coach in New England’s history. He’ll go down as one of the greatest assistant coaches ever.

The Patriots have lost Scarnecchia, Joe Judge and Bret Bielema from the coaching staff so far this offseason.

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Robert Kraft plans to bring Tom Brady back to Patriots

Robert Kraft won’t let Tom Brady go without a fight. 

Robert Kraft won’t let Tom Brady go without a fight.

The New England Patriots owner has had his franchise quarterback in place for two decades, and he’s not ready to let him leave. Brady, entering free agency for the first time in his career, is willing to explore other options and test the market.

Kraft was asked by a TMZ Sports reporter if the Patriots would retain Brady.

“We plan to,” Kraft said.

The 42-year-old quarterback has been mum on his future throughout the entire season and it seems to be a real possibility he could go elsewhere. He isn’t going to retire, so a decision must be made, and it’s very possible that decision lands him outside of Foxborough.

Kraft made his perspective very clear before the Patriots’ wild-card playoff game while speaking to NBC Sports’ Peter King.

“My hope and prayer is No. 1, he [Brady] play for the Patriots. Or No. 2, he retires,” Kraft said. “He has the freedom to decide what he wants to do and what’s in his own best personal interest.”

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Robert Kraft’s ‘hope and prayer’ for Brady is to return or retire (Patriotswire)

Team owner Robert Kraft is making it clear what he wants, telling NBC Sports’ Peter King that Brady has earned the right to control his own future.

Team owner Robert Kraft is making it clear what he wants, telling NBC Sports’ Peter King that Brady has earned the right to control his own future.

Robert Kraft’s ‘hope and prayer’ for Brady is to return or retire

Team owner Robert Kraft is making it clear what he wants, telling NBC Sports’ Peter King that Brady has earned the right to control his own future.

Team owner Robert Kraft is making it clear what he wants, telling NBC Sports’ Peter King that Brady has earned the right to control his own future.

FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer reports Saints-Antonio Brown union unlikely this year

FOX Sports NFL insider Jay Glazer is tight with New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton, and he reports an Antonio Brown union isn’t likely.

Few reporters can boast a tight relationship with New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton, but FOX Sports NFL insider Jay Glazer can. Glazer and Payton have been close friends for nearly two decades, commonly spotted together on floats during Mardi Gras and in restaurants during a night on the town.

Glazer has used that connection to get the scoop on several big moves from within New Orleans — ranging from Jimmy Graham getting traded to the Seattle Seahawks to Payton signing a five-year contract extension earlier this year. On Sunday, he weighed in on Payton’s impression of free agent wide receiver Antonio Brown.

According to Glazer’s report, the Saints warned Brown not to bring an entourage with him to the team practice facility before Friday’s tryout. Instead, he showed up at Airline Drive with a three-man camera crew, a personal nutritionist, and a few other hangers-on. Only Brown was allowed entry, and the crowd on his doorstep didn’t exactly rub Payton the right way.

Additionally, Glazer characterized Brown’s performance in that workout as “he didn’t think he was going to play this year,” which isn’t a very glowing endorsement. And considering that he’s informed from Payton himself, well, things aren’t looking promising for Brown to join the Saints — for the playoffs or otherwise.

It’s just the latest misbehavior from Brown, who has butted heads with everyone from his previous coaches (Mike Tomlin with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Jon Gruden with the Oakland Raiders) to team executives (Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert and Raiders general manager Mike Mayock, and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft). He hasn’t exactly gotten off to the right start with Payton, but at least he’s apparently rooting for the Saints on Sunday.

https://twitter.com/NFLonFOX/status/1211335189797818368

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WATCH: Antonio Brown apologizes to Robert Kraft on Instagram

Antonio Brown injected himself into headlines yet again for a post that is out of character by comparison to the many rants he has gone on throughout the fall.

Antonio Brown injected himself into headlines yet again Tuesday, this time for a social media post that is out of character by comparison to the many rants he has gone on throughout the fall.

A post the free-agent wide receiver shared on his Instagram account included a picture of him in his Patriots uniform Sept. 15 and was captioned, “Mr.Kraft I apologize sincerely to you and your organization! All I wanted to be was an asset to the organization; sorry for the bad media and the drama! Thank you sincerely, AB”

Brown played in only one game this season, helping the Patriots (9-1) past the Dolphins with four receptions for 56 yards and one touchdown. He was released the following week after the NFL opened an investigation in response to accusations of violation of the NFL’s personal conduct policy — specifically, Brown is accused of sexual assault, harassment, and rape.

At different points since team owner Robert Kraft and the Patriots announced that Brown would no longer be a part of their team, Brown took to social media to attack the owner for his own legal case involving his visit to a massage parlor and engagement in sex acts.

A week after the NFL sat down with Brown for the first time since opening its investigation, Brown’s tone is apologetic.