Bill Belichick Fires Back at Robert Kraft, Says It Was He Who Took the 'Big Risk' by Taking Patriots Job
NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS, JUL 16 – Robert Kraft says trading a first-round pick for Bill Belichick was a big risk, while Belichick says he risked joining a struggling Patriots team $10 million over the salary cap.
- Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft publicly disagreed in 2025 over who took the bigger risk when Belichick accepted the Patriots head coaching job in 1999.
- Belichick revealed that he declined a stable Jets head coaching role due to uncertain team ownership and instead accepted the Patriots job, despite the franchise facing significant salary cap challenges at the time.
- Kraft acknowledged hiring Belichick was a big risk given Belichick’s prior 36-44 Browns record, but praised their shared success including six Super Bowls and 19 winning seasons.
- Belichick expressed gratitude toward Kraft for allowing him to implement his vision for the team, while Kraft remarked wryly that their collaboration had turned out well, highlighting their shared success.
- Their 24-year partnership ended in January 2024, and Belichick is starting a college coaching job while becoming Hall of Fame eligible this winter.
Insights by Ground AI
Does this summary seem wrong?
19 Articles
19 Articles
Bill Belichick fires back at Robert Kraft’s ‘big risk’ comment in rare move
In a highly unusual move, Bill Belichick has responded to comments Patriots owner Robert Kraft made last month in which he said he took a "big risk" by giving up a first-round pick to steal Belichick away from the Jets in 2000.
·New York, United States
Read Full ArticleCoverage Details
Total News Sources19
Leaning Left5Leaning Right2Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution56% Left
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources lean Left
56% Left
L 56%
C 22%
R 22%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium