New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft is putting Bill Belichick on notice
Thank you for two decades of dominance, but what have you done for me lately? That is exactly the message New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft is sending to Bill Belichick.
As a series of head scratching moves or non-moves in free agency and with the coaching staff has had Patriots fans both confused and what the heck is going on down there in Foxborough, the prideful owner is still confident in his head coach, but made it clear he is not happy that his team hasn’t won a playoff game in three years.
Yes, that does extend back to Tom Brady’s last season in New England, so let’s not put all the emphasis on the seven-time Super Bowl champion no longer gearing up in a Patriots’ uniform. The fact is, Belichick has not drafted well up until last season, which has been a main factor in the team’s lack of youth and reliable talent in some key areas.
Bill Belichick, New England Patriots must hit big in the 2022 NFL Draft
It’s a reason why the team had to spend big during free agency in 2021. With the 2021 NFL Draft producing Mac Jones, Christian Barmore and Rhamondre Stevenson, the pressure is now on Belichick to follow up a strong draft with another strong draft. Reflecting on the team’s early success, Kraft knows the best way to build a winning team is through the draft.
"“It’s the only way you can build your team long-term and consistently,” Kraft said at the NFL meetings this week, via Patriots.com. “Those [big free-agent signings] are good for the headlines, but the headlines aren’t the substance of what’s happening. We. Have a lot of young players that are coming into their own. I’m happy we had a great draft last year…and I look forward to, hopefully, having a great draft this year.”"
After a quiet free agency, the pressure is really on Belichick to hit and hit big in the draft. With needs at wide receiver, the offensive line, linebacker and obviously cornerback, the Patriots coach and general manager can’t afford to play around by drafting kickers in the fifth round or selecting players in the second round who he could’ve selected in later rounds.
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With how the AFC is ramping up, there is not much room for error when it comes to roster building and Kraft knows it. While he has hyped up Mac Jones, he knows good coaching is also the staple of consistent winning. That is why Kraft has put up with Belichick and his sometimes-frustrating decision-making over the years. That is why he is putting up with it now, but maybe that leash is becoming shorter.
"“Bill has a unique way of doing things,” Kraft said of his coach. “It’s worked out pretty well up to now. It doesn’t sometimes look straight-line to our fans or to myself, but I’m results-oriented. I expect [the Patriots to contend for another title] as soon as this year. We’ve made the commitment as an organization; we have a lot of talent … there’s a chance for them to grow and the team to come together.”"
In all, Kraft is sticking with his boy and putting trust in the genius that is Belichick. However, the proud owner also recognizes the team’s mistakes when it comes to building a sustainable roster. Has he put the future Hall-of-Fame coach on notice?
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Who really knows when it comes to the Kraft-Belichick relationship? But, one thing is clear, if the New England Patriots fail to make the playoffs in a big way in 20222, the owner will have all the pressure to decide on Belichick if Belichick doesn’t walk away from coaching himself.