Bill Belichick claims he took a big risk joining Patriots
- Robert Kraft acknowledged that hiring Bill Belichick was his best decision but also described it as a risky one.
- Belichick highlighted that his decision to take the Patriots job was a significant risk due to the franchise's poor standing.
- Despite initial doubts, Belichick achieved remarkable success, leading the Patriots to six Super Bowl victories.
In 1999, Robert Kraft took a chance on Bill Belichick by hiring him as the head coach of the New England Patriots, a decision he later described as the most significant of his ownership. Kraft's risk stemmed from Belichick's previous coaching record, where he had only won a little over 40% of his games and the fact that Kraft traded a No. 1 draft pick to acquire him from the New York Jets. The Patriots were in dire straits, $10 million over the salary cap, and faced numerous challenges, including a tumultuous team management structure that required a complete overhaul. Belichick responded to Kraft’s comments by asserting that he was the one who truly took a significant risk by accepting the job with a franchise that was struggling. He had previously been offered the head coach position with the Jets, but due to instability within their ownership, he chose to join the Patriots instead. This decision was influenced by the warnings he received from former coaches about internal obstacles within the Patriots organization. Despite these challenges, Belichick’s leadership transformed the team into one of the most successful in NFL history, culminating in six Super Bowl titles over his 24-year tenure. However, even after this significant success, Belichick has yet to be inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame, remaining a point of discussion among fans and analysts alike, particularly as Robert Kraft continues to seek recognition for his contributions to the team's legacy.