Kraft Got His Hands Dirty During The Fall Of The Dynasty

Robert Kraft's hands are dirty and he admits it. The Patriots have made questionable decisions over the past few years, going back to Jimmy G. How much we don't know but here's what Kraft said.

“I’ve actually tried to get us to sign players who maybe would’ve cost more but wouldn’t have been the right players or value. So, we always leave that to the people we assign the responsibility to," Robert Kraft

It was said that Robert Kraft was behind Jimmy G getting traded instead of Brady and it was said that Kraft was involved with AB getting cut. Those two things had impact on the Patriots. 

“We all know, long-term, we have to find a way — either Jarrett Stidham or someone new we bring in. This isn’t something where you get algebraic formulas. Think of all the personnel wizards who passed on six rounds for Tom Brady in 2000. No one knows what’s going to happen. We have to balance everything. Look, quarterback is the most important position on the team. We know that. One way or another we have to get that position solidified," Robert Kraft said in 2021.

In the summer of 2023, Ben Volin said,  "(The Krafts) are invested in Jones succeeding. Belichick, meanwhile, barely wants to say Jones’ name in public."

If Belichick and the front office had the power, why was there so much protection from the Krafts to keep Mac?

After the 2021 draft, Kraft said, "There were a lot of rumors that he was supposed to go No. 3. We feel very fortunate that he came to us and we're excited."

“Well, first of all, I’m amazed — he’s such a good person, and humble. … I come in there sometimes on the weekend, early, he’s there working out, watching film. Just doing things that I wouldn’t believe someone of his background would have that kind of commitment, given his past. And the guys in the locker room really like him — all the guys. … I actually believe he has a little more edge than we’ve seen. But he’s been respectful coming in as a rookie. So, I’m very high on him. I think we really, the staff did a great job drafting him. And we’re lucky to have him for our future, and this will be a good pick," said Robert Kraft in 2022.

When asked about drafting Mac Jones in the middle of the 2023 season, Bill Belichick said, “Organizationally, we thought it was the right thing to do." So Bill got asked again about the decision and said, “Collectively, we were all for that."

Belichick didn't claim ownership. He blamed the organization. It's true the Patriots didn't move up to get Mac but there were other players on the board. Furthermore, Stidham who some had a first or second round draft grade on, was still on the roster even though he didn't start in 2020.

The thing is Kraft admitted to meddling in the Patriots roster construction. And he stopped Belichick from trading Mac Jones. The speculation that he was behind drafting Mac Jones at 15, even though they didn't trade up has to be taken seriously with Kraft's latest spillage. 

Don't forget, Kraft ordered Belichick to sign Bill O'Brien. Every decision the Patriots have made since the Jimmy G trade was made needs to be scrutinized because that's when things started to come unglued in Foxboro. What decisions were Bill Belichick's and what belong to Robert Kraft? Robert Kraft may not get credit for building the dynasty but I have a feeling it's gonna come out that he deserves some credit for the fall.