PHOENIX — Robert Kraft stole headlines last year at the NFL owners meetings when he seemingly drew a line in the sand with members of his football staff by voicing his displeasure over not winning a playoff game in three seasons.
That tone didn’t change after the Patriots’ 8-9 season last year, as Kraft sent a letter to season ticket holders in January once again voicing dissatisfaction with the product and promising “critical evaluations.”
Let’s just say being irrelevant in the NFL is not Kraft’s cup of tea.
So did he toss any more verbal grenades during his session with the media Monday at the owner’s meetings?
Let’s just say spliced in between numerous compliments for his head coach — “I still believe in Bill” — and the optimism he now feels given moves made thus far, most notably the addition of Bill O’Brien, Kraft still managed to launch a few zingers.
Asked if he still had confidence in Bill Belichick, Kraft closed his answer with this: “In the end, this is a business. You either execute and win or you don’t. That’s where we’re at. We’re in a transition phase.”
A transition to what? More of the same, or actually returning to contender status?
There were several times, both during his mass gathering with the media, and a small side session following, where Kraft made it abundantly clear who was responsible for the team’s current plight.
He essentially put everything in Belichick’s lap, from how much money the team spends, to the possibility of landing disgruntled Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson. And yes, it was Kraft who broke the news with the juicy tidbit that Jackson wants to be a Patriot.
This coming courtesy of a text from rapper Meek Mill a few days ago. If that whopper doesn’t stoke fans, nothing ever will. The only fly in the ointment?
“It’s Bill Belichick’s decision,” said Kraft.
So if Jackson, whom the Ravens gave a non-exclusive, $32.4 million franchise tag last month, doesn’t somehow wind up with the Patriots, that’s on Bill.
Kraft made that perfectly clear.
As for the notion the Patriots operate on the cheap, and don’t spend enough money to make the team better, Kraft bristled at that notion, which was triggered by Belichick saying the Pats were among the lowest spending teams the past three seasons, in response to a January question about the team’s 2021 spending spree.
“I’ve had the privilege of having Bill as a coach for 24 years. He’s never come to me, and not gotten everything he wanted from cash spending. We have never set limits,” Kraft said.
And Kraft isn’t about to start.
“Ownership has always made the cash available,” he said. “Money spending will never be the issue. I promise you. Or I’ll sell the team.”
Kraft’s overall point? If there’s a cap on overall cash spending, it’s Belichick’s. Not Kraft.
The Patriots’ owner also voiced his support of Mac Jones, especially in wake of the hand he was dealt last season having to be guided and mentored by Matt Patricia and Joe Judge, two coaches who had never run an offense.
“I think we experimented with some things last year that frankly didn’t work when it came to (Mac), in my opinion,” Kraft said.
And who was responsible for the experiment?
Belichick.
As for the Patriots head coach, he provided his usual blend of non-answers during his 28-minute media session Monday.
A sampling of his favorite responses?
“I’m not sure.” “I don’t know.” “We’ll see.” “It’s March.”
It was classic Belichick.
Kraft, on the other hand, was more forthcoming.
He indicated he met with Belichick after their 8-9 season, and expressed his unhappiness with the head coach, citing areas that needed to improve.
“I thought changes had to be made,” Kraft said. “I think we’ve made some moves and changes that give me personally some hope for the upcoming season.”
Kraft said that getting O’Brien to be the offensive coordinator was at the top of his wish list, and was pleased that came to pass.
“I think bringing in Bill O'Brien will work to his advantage,” Kraft said of Jones. “I'm very positive and hopeful about this upcoming year. I'm personally a big fan of Mac."
And what if the team finishes out of the playoffs for a second year in a row, and third in four seasons? What then?
Would Belichick’s job be in jeopardy? And, does breaking Don Shula’s coaching mark factor in to any decision regarding Belichick?
“Look, I’d like him to break Don Shula’s record. But I’m not looking for any of our players to get great stats,” Kraft said. “We’re about winning and doing whatever we can to win. 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.”
Overall, some tough words from Kraft. And some finger-pointing toward his head coach mixed in. But in the end, the Patriots owner did his best to strike a more positive tone.
And yet, aside from the changes on the coaching staff, and a few moves on the offensive side, it still looks like much of the same. Although, Kraft did once again point to the draft being the primary area where Belichick and his staff needed to shine to complete their makeover into a contending team.
With 12 picks in the upcoming draft, Kraft is also banking on having the team improve there.
"Just spending money two-three years ago, I think we spent more cash than any team or the two or three teams in the history of spending, and it didn’t get the value we hoped it would. So I think having a solid draft is the foundation to building a team and sustaining it.”
Or, landing Lamar Jackson. Take your pick.
Either way, it's up to Bill.
