Robert Kraft’s reported verbal spat with Jerry Jones was one of the main headlines to come out of Tuesday’s NFL owners’ meetings. The other was Colts owner Jim Irsay saying he thinks there’s merit for removing embattled Washington owner Daniel Snyder.
But when Kraft was asked about Snyder Tuesday, the Patriots owner demurred, and spouted the NFL party line.
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“I’m just trying to figure out how I can get my guy to go home to Beantown,” Kraft said in response to a question about whether he thinks Snyder should be ousted.
When asked about how other owners feel about Snyder, Kraft, who didn’t lift his head from his iPhone, said the reporter would “have to ask them.”
Those words stand in stark contrast to Irsay’s remarks. It was remarkable to hear one of the league’s owners go against a member of the tightly knit billionaire tribe. “Some of the things I've heard doesn't represent us at all," said Irsay. "I want the American public to know what we're about as owners. ... You can't shy away from the fact that, I believe it's in the best interest of the National Football League that we look at this squarely in the eyes and deal with it.”
Snyder is currently dealing with duel investigations into alleged workplace misconduct within the Commanders. Congress and the NFL are both looking into widespread allegations from former employees, including claims of chronic sexual harassment. A former team employee has accused Snyder of groping her on his plane in 2009 (Snyder settled the case for $1.6 million).
The NFL hired former U.S. attorney Mary Jo White nine months ago to conduct its probe. Commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters Tuesday he’s asked owners to withhold judgment on Snyder, though he didn’t admonish Irsay for speaking. The league requires 24 of 32 owners to vote in favor of unseating one of their own.
ESPN’s Seth Wickersham and Don Van Natta Jr. reported last week that Snyder has hired private investigators to dig up dirt on Goodell and other owners, including Jerry Jones, who’s reportedly been Snyder’s biggest backer.
As one of the NFL’s most powerful owners, Kraft seemingly holds a lot of sway when it comes to Snyder’s fate. But it’s important to remember that Kraft is usually a league-first guy. While he originally admonished Goodell for his draconian Deflategate penalties, he later said he accepted the punishment, and never pursued legal action against the NFL.
Kraft, whose close relationship with Goodell is well-established, helped usher in a $200 million extension for the commissioner in 2017 — while Deflategate feelings were still raw. Jones, miffed over the NFL’s suspension of Ezekiel Elliott, reportedly tried to block the deal.
On Tuesday, the Cowboys owner once again reportedly tried to block a new deal for Goodell. “Don’t f— with me,” Jones told Kraft, per ESPN.
Kraft backed up the shield, as he usually does.