Kraft speaks mind at owners meetings
ORLANDO — Patriots owner Robert Kraft spoke Tuesday morning at the annual NFL meetings, sharing his expectations for the team and thoughts on the upcoming draft.
Here are some main points he discussed:
1. Calvin Ridley’s significant other played a role in why he didn’t sign with the Patriots.
The Patriots pursued Ridley, one of the top wide receivers — if not the best — to hit free agency this offseason, but he chose to sign with Tennessee on a four-year, $92 million deal.
The Patriots would have been willing to pay Ridley more, according to Kraft, but other factors swayed him. Among them were Ridley’s girlfriend’s preference to live in the South, the absence of a state income tax in Tennessee, and the uncertainty at quarterback in New England.
“It was not because of finance,” Kraft said. “We were willing to keep going at that premium.”
Kraft has maintained that de facto general manager Eliot Wolf and coach Jerod Mayo have the freedom to spend as much as they need to improve the roster.
2. Kraft can see both sides of what the Patriots should do at the No. 3 draft position.
Asked if he would like to see them select a quarterback, Kraft said, as a fan, he “definitely” would.
“In the end, you can’t win in this league consistently unless you have a first-rate quarterback and a first-rate coach,” he said.
Kraft then acknowledged the other advantages that can come with a high pick. Mayo said Monday the team is open to trading the selection should another team offer a package with significant draft capital.
“We’ve never been in the third draft position since we’ve owned the team,” Kraft said. “What happens is a lot of people behind are really desperate to move up. We’re going to be open to whatever can come our way.”
Still, Kraft said he would like to see the Patriots come away with a talented quarterback — even if they trade back.
He also believes the team is in a better situation to support a young quarterback, in comparison to 2021 first-round pick Mac Jones.
“I don’t think the last couple years, how we handled the offense — speaking as a fan — was the kind of approach we wanted,” Kraft said. “Look, one way or another, we know at some point we’re going to get a young quarterback who will be gifted. Fortunately, there are a number of them in this draft.
“Where we take that position will depend on what comes to us. But I hope our personnel people do a good job in that area, and I really believe we have the coaching to support that.”
3. Kraft’s expectations for the team have not changed.
Even with a first-time coach and a rebuilding roster, he wants the team to advance to the postseason.
“My hope and expectations are to make the playoffs,” he said.
After changes to the coaching staff and front office, Kraft believes the team is headed in the right direction but acknowledged “everything is chit-chat” until the games start.
“We have a new leadership team, we’re going to have a lot of young players we don’t know — a lot can happen,” he said. “We might struggle more than I want.
“But the good news when you’re running any business is you try to figure out what the key variables are and then try to put people in place that you think can react and adapt to what has to happen. I really feel we have a good young team. I just hope we don’t struggle.”
4. The Patriots have a plan to address the poor grades the NFL Players Association reported in its annual player survey.
The Patriots ranked at or near the bottom in several categories pertaining to a player’s daily experience. Their worst marks were for treatment of families, which got an F-minus and ranked 30th; weight room, which got an F and ranked 32nd; head coach, which got a Bminus and ranked 27 th; and ownership, which got a D-plus and ranked 27th.
Kraft laid out an early proposal to rectify some of those issues.
“I must tell you, I was unaware of how bad that was,” he said. “We’ve had a plan that we put in place where we’re committing to a whole new facility adjacent to ours. That has been discussed with the leadership team and a building that will be in excess of $50 million.
“We have to correct everything. I was not aware of the day-care issue. I mean, that’s something that’s fixable. The players are the heart and soul of the business. I’d be very surprised if that didn’t improve. That was done during the fifth week of the season.”
5. Kraft expressed excitement about the roster and, echoing Mayo, preached patience.
Just as Mayo did Monday, Kraft spoke about the importance of re-signing some internal players as opposed to making reckless signings.
“I think we’re getting the system of functioning the way we did where this year we signed a number of younger players that we had drafted or have been in our system,” Kraft said. “As a foundation, if you want to win consistently, you have to draft well and then get those players on the second contract. We started to do that this year.”
Kraft said he feels bad that the fans are frustrated, but asked that they stay patient.
“I’m excited with what I’ve seen so far, and we’ll evaluate after the draft and see how that’s gone and decide where we go from there,”
Kraft said.