Bill Belichick Says He Took the Real Risk in Taking Patriots Job

Bill Belichick usually keeps quiet when it comes to comments from Patriots owner Robert Kraft. But after Kraft recently said he took a “big risk” by hiring Belichick in 1999, the longtime head coach decided to speak up.

In a statement to ESPN, Belichick said it was actually he who took the bigger risk — walking away from the New York Jets and joining a struggling Patriots team that was $10 million over the salary cap.

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

Warnings About the Patriots’ Job

Belichick said many people urged him not to take the Patriots job. He’d just been named head coach of the Jets, and despite concerns there, people around the league thought New England was worse off.

“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.”

Kraft’s Side of the Story

Kraft shared his perspective last month on Dudes on Dudes, a podcast hosted by Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski. When asked to name his best decision as owner, Kraft said it was hiring Belichick — even though the move drew plenty of criticism at the time.

“The one that got questioned the most was in 1999.” Kraft said on the “Dudes on Dudes” podcast co-hosted by Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski last month at Fanatics Fest.

“I gave up a No. 1 draft pick for a coach that had only won a little over 40% of his games to get him out,” Kraft said. “Well, I don’t know if there are any Jets fans here. I think getting Bill Belichick to come to the Patriots in 1999 was a big risk, and I got hammered in the Boston area, but he was with us for 24 years.”

“And we did OK,” Kraft added, wryly.

A Dynasty Built from a Rocky Start

Under Belichick, the Patriots went 266-121, won 17 AFC East titles, made it to the AFC Championship Game 13 times, and brought home a record six Super Bowl trophies. He’s a lock for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Still, it didn’t start smoothly. Belichick walked into a franchise that was in bad shape, both on the field and financially. The 2000 team was well over the salary cap, and Belichick quickly released several expensive veterans, including Bruce Armstrong, Todd Rucci, Henry Thomas, and Ben Coates.

That season, the Patriots went 5-11. But everything changed in 2001 when Belichick benched Drew Bledsoe in favor of Tom Brady. The Patriots won the Super Bowl that season — the first of many.

“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.

Why Speak Now?

Belichick declined to explain why Kraft might be framing the 1999 decision as a “big risk” today. When ESPN asked, he simply replied, “You’ll have to ask Robert.”

The Patriots declined to comment, with spokesman Stacey James saying Kraft was unavailable.

Kraft’s comments come as he continues to push for a stronger legacy as owner. He’s 84 years old and has been trying to make a case for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He recently announced that former coach Bill Parcells — Belichick’s mentor — will be added to the Patriots Hall of Fame this year. Tom Brady was inducted last year.

Belichick, despite being the most successful coach in team history, still isn’t in the Patriots Hall of Fame.

A Legendary Career, Still Unmatched

Kraft pointed to Belichick’s early struggles in Cleveland — where he went 36-44 with the Browns — as part of why hiring him seemed risky. What he didn’t mention was Belichick’s dominant run as a defensive coordinator before that. He won two Super Bowls with Parcells and the New York Giants, then helped lead the Patriots to another Super Bowl appearance in 1996. After that, he spent three seasons with the Jets, including a trip to the AFC title game in 1998.

“The Jets were a solid team after three years of rebuilding under Bill Parcells, which included an AFC Championship Game appearance in [January] 1999.” Belichick said. “Meanwhile, the Patriots Organization had dismantled their 1996 AFC Championship team and became one of the worst in the AFC. It didn’t help that they were $10 million over the cap heading into my first season as Head Coach in 2000.”

What’s Next for Belichick

This fall, Belichick will begin his first season coaching at the college level — joining the staff at North Carolina. He’s also eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the first time this winter.

Even if he doesn’t yet have a spot in the Patriots Hall of Fame, his legacy as one of the greatest coaches of all time is already secure.