What did Patriots owner Robert Kraft say in response to Bill Belichick’s comments?
Following some eyebrow-raising comments from the head coach, the Patriots’ owner finally responded and it would appear there are big things on the horizon.
No matter how you interpreted the statements made by the Patriots coach, it’s now clear that we can expect movement from the franchise itself. Indeed, it wouldn’t be a surprise if we see New England back in playoff contention when the next NFL season rolls around.
What did Bill Belichick say about the Patriots’ spending?
If there was one takeaway from Bill Belichick’s end-of-year press conference, it’s that he isn’t entirely happy with the spending of the franchise since Tom Brady departed. To be honest, we can see where he’s coming from when you consider that the Patriots have been more or less a mid-table team across the last three years. That’s to say, they’ve missed the playoffs in two of those three. So, what did Belichick say?
“Our spending in 2020, our spending in 2021, and our spending in 2022 - the aggregate of that - was we were 27th in the league in cash spending,” Belichick said at the time. “Couple years we’re low, one year was high, but over a three-year period, we are one of the lowest spending teams in the league.” Naturally, many interpreted Belichick’s comments as a less-than-subtle jab at Patriots owner Robert Kraft. Asked in a recent interview about the team’s spending, Kraft made it clear that there is no issue when it comes to budget.
What did Robert Kraft say in response to Bill Belichick?
This is where things get interesting. Asked by NBC’s Greg Bedard, about the fact that they’re among the lowest cash-spending teams in the league, Kraft was firm in his response to Belichick’s comments. “He [Belichick] has never come to me and not gotten everything he wanted from a cash-spending perspective. We have never set limits.” Kraft then went on to add that “spending will never be the issue, I promise you, or I’ll sell the team.’ So that’s pretty definitive.” If we take those comments at face value, it’s obvious that there is some kind of gap between how both men view the team’s current situation. That’s not to say that one of them is being dishonest but as they say, ‘mind the gap.’ At this point, the Patriots have a payroll of $203,597,868 and yes, that ranks as the second lowest in the entire league.
So, where are the Patriots at?
Despite the discrepancy in expenditure the Patriots have managed to stay relatively competitive. If we take a look at this most recent offseason, they were able to acquire wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, as well as tight end Mike Gesicki. They also extended receiver DeVante Parker and linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley. You will also recall their flirtation with free-agent pass catcher DeAndre Hopkins. At any rate, it’s clear something needs to be done. They do in fact have a very talented player at quarterback in Mac Jones but there will have to be changes. Interestingly, Kraft has also said that he is hopeful about the Patriots’ chances this coming season. That said, mind the gap.