Bill Belichick pushes back on Robert Kraft comments saying his hire was a 'big risk' for Patriots

Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft helped put together the greatest dynasty in the history of the NFL. Over the course of their 24-year partnership, the New England Patriots made nine trips to the Super Bowl, winning six Lombardi trophies.

But 18 months ago, Belichick and Kraft mutually agreed to part ways. Kraft recently reflected on his hiring of Belichick in 1999, calling it a “big risk,” and citing his .450 winning percentage as a head coach at the time. Belichick has fired back, telling ESPN that it was he who took a “big risk” by taking the New England job.

“As I told Robert multiple times through the years, I took a big risk by taking the New England Patriots head coaching job,” Belichick told Don Van Natta Jr. of ESPN. “I already had an opportunity to be the Head Coach of the New York Jets, but the ownership situation was unstable.”

Belichick, 73, accepted Kraft’s offer to take the job in New England after resigning as head coach of the New York Jets one day after being hired. Belichick said he was urged by several people to turn down Kraft’s offer and remain with the Jets.

“I had been warned by multiple previous Patriots’ coaches, as well as other members of other NFL organizations and the media, that the New England job was going to come with many internal obstacles,” Belichick said. “I made it clear that we would have to change the way the team was managed to regain the previously attained success.”

Bill Belichick inherited an expensive, middling Patriots team

While Belichick did not name names or go into details on the “internal obstacles,” he did point out that the Patriots were one of the worst teams in the AFC and were $10 million over the cap entering the 2000 season. Belichick released multiple high-paid players upon taking over, including offensive tackle Bruce Armstrong, guard Todd Rucci, defensive tackle Henry Thomas and tight end Ben Coates.

New England went 5-11 in year one under Belichick. By the end of the following season, they were Super Bowl champions after Belichick boldly benched quarterback Drew Bledsoe for second-year man Tom Brady.

“I appreciated Robert giving me the opportunity to make those changes and build a program that was consistent with my vision for a championship team,” Belichick said.

Kraft, 84, fired Belichick’s successor, Jerod Mayo, following a 4-13 record in 2024. Kraft hired another former Patriots linebacker, Mike Vrabel, to lead the team as head coach. Belichick is set to begin his first season as head coach at North Carolina.