“Emotional Day”: Robert Kraft Revisits the Services of Coach Belichick, Reveals It Was So Hard to Part Ways

Published 01/11/2024, 1:08 PM EST

The speculations have come true, and an era has ended. Bill Belichick is a part of the Patriots‘ history now, and the HC and owner Robert Kraft explained their mutual decision to part ways in a farewell press conference. And it was hard to be a part of, even for Kraft.

Other than thanking Belichick for everything he has done for the side, he also wished him luck for his future ventures, except for the times he was playing against their ‘beloved Patriots’. And finally, an ’emotional Kraft’ accepted that it was ‘hard’ to come to the decision after 24 years.

Robert Kraft thanks Bill Belichick for everything

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The news of Belichick’s departure spread like wildfire since it went public earlier in the day. Both parties coming to a mutual agreement, Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft, took their time to officially announce it via the HC’s last-ever Patriots’ press conference.

Kraft recalled his time in the 1970s when he used to cheer from the metal benches as a fan. “when I did hire him, I was still making the transition from the fan who bought season tickets in ’71, sitting on the metal benches in the old Foxboro Stadium with my boys, to try to become an experienced owner.”

He further described himself as a sentimental sports fan, who was emotional to let off his dream coach, who took his favorite team to 10 Super Bowls. “It’s hard to put into words really, when I think back sitting on those metal benches, and we’d have an opportunity to go to Ten Super Bowls together… At heart, I will be always a sentimental sports fan, so this is a very emotional day for me.”

“Coach Belichick Will forever be celebrated as a legendary sports icon here in New England. And I believe going as a pro football Hall of Famer on the first ballot. Why? Because he is the greatest coach of all time! Which makes this decision to part ways so hard”, Kraft once again shared his honest view of Belichick, and why it was hard to come to a mutual agreement before leaving the press conference with the head coach.

It all comes comes down to the future of the head coach now, and more so of the Patriots. Belichick may decide to call it the last play of his career, but the team will still be very much into it. They have to recover from a heavy heart and a heavier season.

What’s next for Bill Belichick and the Patriots?

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Belichick has never hinted about his retirement, but things get interesting from here. The head coach will soon celebrate his 72nd birthday. However, there are more demands in the league for him than probably he realizes. Given that 7 other NFL franchises are without a head coach following this regular season, Belichick’s CV comfortably fits into any of those.

But the Patriots will have the bitter struggle to replace the 6x Super Bowl winner. Robert Kraft will be absolutely critical with who he decides to hire next, and the already-narrowed number of head coaching candidates may get further dropped given the mess they are in. Additionally, the franchise might as well clean the house before investing in a fresh roster.

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Most of the current head coaches were in their early twenties when Belichick started coaching. Certainly, Kraft won’t find someone nearly as experienced as him. But who is the closest one to him, according to Robert? Except it to be a well-calculated, timely decision that may take even months to finalize.

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My story of becoming an NFL writer is as interesting as my story of becoming an MMA practitioner. Coming from such a sport where athletes look to knock the brain cells off each other for a living, I liked the aggression that American Football had to offer. Before I even realized it, I religiously started following American football, picking up the most challenging in-depth write-ups.

Edited by:

Garima Yadav

“Emotional Day”: Robert Kraft Revisits the Services of Coach Belichick, Reveals It Was So Hard to Part Ways

Robert Kraft thanks Bill Belichick for everything

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What’s next for Bill Belichick and the Patriots?