The New England patriots parted ways with long-serving head coach and de facto general manager bill belichick after a 4-13 record.
The breakup made drastic improvements both in the coaching staff and in the recruiting department. it’s unclear how those changes will position the patriots in the future, but team owner robert kraft is optimistic.
Speaking to reporters at the super bowl in las vegas on thursday, he expressed his excitement for what lies ahead for his organization, even though future hall of famer bill belichick is no longer part of the team. Kraft said, “i have a sense of excitement and a great opportunity to hopefully position the team to be exceptional,” according to chad graff of the athletic. “this is the first time in 31 years of ownership that we’re drafting at the level we are, and we have a chance to get some great players and have the same amount of cap space as we have.” I hope it will help us to plan for the next few years. I’ve told the staff. It’s pretty exciting. The patriots’ disappointing 2023 season gave them the third overall pick in this year’s draft.
Although it is expected that the club will need a quarterback to replace the ailing mac jones and bailey zappe, who both started games for new england last season, every option seems to be on the table.
The same is true for free agency, where new england is expected to have upwards of $70 million. The new-look front office will have plenty of resources to reshape the team, led by director of scouting eliot wolf as quasi-gm.
Once the market opens in mid-march, the patriots themselves know the situation they are in, and new head coach jerod mayo is “ready to burn some money.” In the past, new england has not done so aggressively, stoking the fear that the team would try to save money or was unable to make proper investments. On thursday, kraft rebuffed those accusations, however.
“I know there is a fear that we have slowed down on spending,” he said. “that’s just not true,” he said to his supporters. “we were fortunate to have a mentor in our organization who was a great coach who also understood value,” he said. He was on a tight ship. They say we’ve been low spenders in the last ten years, and that may be true, but we had a pretty good record.
We won three super bowls. “but we never held back with any of the coaches we’ve had in the last 30 years,” he said. They’ve been able to get what they want. I would sell the team if cash spending became a problem for our family and we couldn’t do it. ..i can assure our supporters that money will never be cut or that we don’t sign players.
