The relationship between New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and former coach Bill Belichick has taken a turn for the worse in recent years, but Kraft still has it in him to pay his former coach a high compliment.
In a live version of the “Dudes on Dudes” podcast hosted by Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski, Kraft appeared and was asked what his best move as Patriots owner was. Kraft responded that it was the trade that brought Belichick to New England.
“The one that got questioned the most was in 1999,” Kraft said, via Peyton Doyle of MassLive.com. “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.
“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 okay.”
There has been real tension between Belichick and Kraft since Belichick’s departure two years ago. A lot of that tension might be on Belichick’s end, though there does seem to be some mutual iciness between the two of them.
On the other hand, the two have been able to play nice for the cameras, and Kraft obviously respects Belichick’s accomplishments. The two probably won’t be having any friendly meetups anytime soon, though.
