Robert Kraft is sort of making the rounds around the Super Bowl and today appeared on Fox Business News to talk about Tom Brady, NFL business and, of course, the Patriots.
The highlights:
- When asked about whether the team made overtures to Brady to return as QB of the Patriots, Kraft quickly pivoted to Mac Jones. "We're blessed to have a great young quarterback in Mac Jones as our quarterback and I'm a strong believer in him in his development."
- Kraft was asked about his philosophy as an owner, on whether he stands aside or will interject and say, 'you need to do this.' "Well, everyone manages in a different way. I can only speak for myself. I try to hire the best people I can. I give them accountability, full authority to do as they please, hold them accountable. But if things aren't going the way I'd like, we meet in private, and have our discussions and make changes. It's something we've done this year. I'm very happy that we were able to bring in a new offensive coordinator to help develop our young quarterback Mac Jones. I think bringing in Bill O'Brien has been a big plus for our franchise. And that was done in full cooperation with Coach Belichick. And I'm very excited about our team for next year. ... But I really am concerned about getting the New England Patriots back to the playoffs. That's my focus."
- Kraft also seemed to back away from his stated desire to have Brady sign a one-day contract to retire with the team. "Well, no, I think I had been doing an interview and someone asked me whether I'd be willing to do that. And I said, 'Absolutely.' And of course it's whatever Tommy wants. But in the end, we hope to have him back for many years in the future. I know all of our fans want to thank him and celebrate the greatness that he brought to our franchise for two decades. And we want to do it in a respectful way. And you know, when you think about it, the NFL has been in business for over 100 years. And we have the privilege with the, I don't know if it's 50,000 players in the history, we had the pleasure and honor to have the greatest of all time, who has won seven Super Bowls, which no other team or individual has ever done."
- Kraft also said his family will own the team for many years to come. "After my family, the New England Patriots is the most important thing in my life. It's not a business. It's really part of my family. It's part of the community. If we do well, it makes the whole region better. And it's just I love being in the locker room, being around the players. I just pinch myself that I've been so privileged to own a franchise in my hometown. It the good Lord was very kind to allow that to happen. I'm never been selling it. We've set it up so it hopefully stays in the family for many decades to come."
BSJ ANALYSIS
Kraft's comments on Jones and O'Brien were really strong.
On Jones, you'd have to think if there was any wavering on the belief in Jones from Belichick and the coaches, that Kraft would hedge his words a bit more. Instead, he basically doubled down and used words/phrases like "blessed", "great" and "strong believer."
To me, that sort of ends any short-term debate about Jones' future. It sounds like Kraft has heard from Belichick, in their discussions, that they still believe Jones' future is bright — if they pick up where they left off after his rookie season. Very strong stuff to me.
The comments about O'Brien were just as strong to me. First of all, they were unprompted. Kraft could have just ended after saying, "hold them accountable." But Kraft didn't do that.
Kraft basically said he held Belichick accountable after the season — strongly.
"But if things aren't going the way I'd like, we meet in private, and have our discussions and make changes. It's something we've done this year," he said.
Kraft also strongly hinted he had a hand in O'Brien returning. "With the full cooperation with Coach Belichick" ... what does that mean? That sure sounds like Kraft strongly recommended O'Brien return and Belichick agreed that was the right move.
"I'm very happy that we were able to bring in a new offensive coordinator to help develop our young quarterback Mac Jones," Kraft said.
Kraft is not being shy in letting people know that, at least for this season, Jones is the guy — no mention of Bailey Zappe — and that Kraft is carefully minding his shop.
Interesting stuff.
