New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft addresses Tom Brady’s Foxborough return, as well as the team’s starting quarterback situation.
TMZ “caught up” with New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft in Beverly Hills on Friday afternoon, asking him what he thinks about Tom Brady’s return to Foxborough, as well as his team’s current quarterback battle between the incumbent Cam Newton and the rookie Mac Jones.
On the Brady front, Kraft is, “Excited to have him” back at Gillette Stadium.
“He’s a great guy and he did so much for us. I love him, Kraft said.”
While the matchup between the Patriots and Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 4 should be a good one, Kraft said, “We should have a fun night! But, I’m excited for Week 1 … and we play Miami.”
When asked what he thinks about the quarterback situation involving Newton and Jones, Kraft said, “We’re excited to have [Mac Jones] but I’m excited to have Cam Newton, too. I pay Bill Belichick a lot of money. He can decide that.” Putting the ball in head coach Bill Belichick’s court when it comes to Newton vs. Jones is the right call, as Belichick will make the smartest decision.
Robert Kraft on Tom Brady’s return and New England Patriots’ QB situation
Kraft and Brady always seemed to have a great relationship. In fact, Brady was the one player Kraft overruled Belichick when it came to his roster’s construction. Belichick probably wanted to move off Brady years ago in favor of the younger Jimmy Garoppolo. All Brady has done since Garoppolo was traded to the San Francisco 49ers was win two of three Super Bowl appearances.
Overall, the Patriots are in a lot better shape than they were a year ago. They have a favorable schedule and won’t be plagued by an absurd amount of COVID opt-outs. Look for the Patriots to push for a Wild Card berth this season with Newton under center. However, if Newton is a shot fighter, look for Jones to be inserted into the starting lineup perhaps a year earlier than expected.
After a year out of the spotlight, the Patriots will be one of the most interesting teams in the NFL.