US EditionBill 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.
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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
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Coverage 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%
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