Robert Kraft: 'Last three years has been rough'
The New England Patriots mutually parted ways with head coach Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft answered questions on Thursday afternoon.
Kraft began his press conference answering why he sees this organizational change as the right one.
“The last three years, has been tough. We know this isn’t what we want.”
Ever since quarterback Tom Brady departed for Tampa Bay the Patriots have not had one playoff win, and only appeared in a single playoff game. This includes back to back losing seasons.
There’s been continous discussion on how the 24 year relationship would end between the team and Belichick. One option on the table was trading Belichick for draft pick compensation to his next team. Kraft felt that option wasn’t fair to the team or his former head coach.
“I guess if you look at this as a transaction, he is so valuable, how we could extract something, I didn’t think that was right. And I didn’t think it was right for Tom Brady, who gave us 20 years. I don’t think it’s right for Bill. Each of them earned the right to be in a position where they should do what’s right for (them), given what they have done for this franchise.”
A trade in theory would have been what was best for the football operations, but coordinating one is very difficult and could have resulted in New England missing out on opportunities to interview potential successors at head coach.
Belichick wanting his new team to give up a draft pick for his services always seemed slim. Kraft also wanting to drag the situation on a trade while other candidates interview for other teams doesn’t seem the best use of time.
Another scenario, was the possibility of Belichick staying, but giving up personnel control and focus on coaching. Kraft was asked about whether that dynamic could have worked in New England moving forward.
“We thought about that, every decision has been his, to take some of that power away and give it to someone else, accountability is important to me. That’d set up confusion on whose decision was whose… it wouldn’t work, in my opinion.”
Kraft also spoke about having good checks and balances. It is clear that Kraft wanted to spread power out amongst a coach and a general manager instead of having one person in charge. The longtime owner didn’t speak to the future structure and only touched on what he is looking for moving forward in a coach.
“We’re looking for someone who can help us get back to the playoffs and win. Believe me, after my family this is really one of the two most important assets in my life. I am very upset when we don't win games. And it carries the whole week. So I promise I will do the best I can do to make sure we're putting ourselves in the best long-term position to win for many years." Kraft said at the end of his press confernce.
For the first time in 24 years, Kraft is the face of the franchise. Getting back to a playoff winner is going to cost time and money as the Patriots start an era of the unknown.
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