Not Tom Brady: Robert Kraft reveals his riskiest decision as Patriots owner

While the New England Patriots are not currently enjoying their best moment, there’s no denying the franchise has built a remarkable dynasty in the NFL since the early 2000s. With Robert Kraft at the helm and Tom Brady once leading the charge on the field, Foxborough still dreams of returning to prominence in the near future.

It’s impossible to leave out names like Bill Belichick when mentioning the key architects behind the franchise’s success — including six Super Bowl rings since his arrival as head coach.

In fact, it was Kraft himself who, during a recent conversation with the media, pointed to the hiring of the now–North Carolina Tar Heels head coach as one of the riskiest decisions he made as owner of the Patriots — a move that was widely questioned at the time.

“The one that got questioned the most was in 1999,” Kraft said, via Peyton Doyle of MassLive.com on Friday. “I gave up a No. 1 draft pick for a coach that had only won a little over 40 percent of his games to get him out, I don’t know if there are any Jets fans here…”

Owner Robert Kraft (L) hugs head coach Bill Belichick (R) of the New England Patriots during a press conference at Gillette Stadium on January 11, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Belichick announced he is stepping down as head coach after 24 seasons with the team.

“I think getting Bill Belichick to come to the Patriots in 1999 was a big risk and I got hammered in the Boston media, but he was with us for 24 years and we did OK.”

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The Patriots dynasty

The New England Patriots established an unprecedented dynasty in the 21st century, a two-decade reign of dominance under the leadership of head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady, spearheaded by owner Robert Kraft. This remarkable era saw the Patriots capture an incredible six Super Bowl championships consistently setting the standard for excellence in the league.

Central to their enduring success was the synergy between Belichick’s strategic brilliance and Brady’s unparalleled clutch play and leadership. While TB12 was the face of the offense, the team’s depth and adaptability were key, featuring critical contributions from players like dominant tight end Rob Gronkowski and reliable, gritty receiver Julian Edelman, among many others who stepped up in crucial moments.

This dynasty, built on a foundation of discipline, adaptability, and unwavering focus on team success, redefined what was possible in modern professional sports. The Patriots’ consistent ability to win, often in dramatic fashion, cemented their legacy as one of the greatest and most sustained periods of dominance in NFL history.

A new chapter for Belichick

After stepping away from his role as head coach of the New England Patriots and bringing his successful tenure in Foxborough to a close, Bill Belichick has now made the bold decision to return to coaching — this time with a new destination.

No longer in the NFL but now in college football, the veteran HC has joined the Tar Heels to take charge of the program at North Carolina — a move aimed at further strengthening the team’s culture and performance with his remarkable addition to the staff.