Bill Belichick Fires Back at Patriots’ Owner Robert Kraft After Comments

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nelson Hubbell | Last updated Jul 16, 2025 11:20 AM ET

Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick responded this week to comments by Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who recently referred to trading a first round pick for him more than 25 years ago as a “big risk," according to ESPN's Don Van Natta Jr.

"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. "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."

Belichick shot back at Kraft, clarifying that he was the one taking a risk by leaving a more stable position with the New York Jets to lead a struggling Patriots team that was $10 million over the cap.

"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 ESPN. "I already had an opportunity to be the Head Coach of the New York Jets, but the ownership situation was unstable."

Belichick explained he was flagged by multiple former Patriots coaches and NFL insiders to reconsider, warning the role would come with heavy internal obstacles. Despite the warnings, Belichick took it on, reshaping the franchise into a dynasty that spanned more than two decades.

"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."

The legendary coach went on to win six Super Bowl titles and 17 AFC East Championships, while winning almost 70% of his games (266-121) during his 24-year tenure with the Patriots.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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