gresh & fauria: Are the Patriots really "open for business"?
It's officially NFL Draft week -- and as the Patriots get set to either pick with or trade away their No. 3 overall selection, the latest reporting on the matter will surely go over well with fans of the team.
**insert sarcasm here**
According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, New England has taken calls from several teams looking to trade into the No. 3 slot, adding that, "while GM Eliot Wolf is running point, Patriots' President Jonathan Kraft is heavily involved in the decision-making."
Kraft, 60, is the eldest son of owner Robert Kraft and has been the President of the Patriots since 2005. Prior to that, he served as a Vice president from 1994-1999 and a Vice chairman from 2000-2005.
Jonathan's involvement in New England's football operations has been heavily scrutinized since the team's parting of ways with Bill Belichick back in January. While Robert has insisted that their ownership prefers to stay out of the way so that they can hold people accountable if things go poorly, reporting on the matter has now -- in two instances -- indicated otherwise.
In an ESPN article published in January detailing the final unraveling of Belichick's time in Foxborough, senior writer Seth Wickersham explained that "word leaked around the [Patriots'] office that if Belichick were gone in 2024, football operations would be split between Glaser and Jonathan Kraft."
While New England has unofficially promoted director of scouting Eliot Wolf to run New England's draft and have "final say" over the matter, Russini's latest report now adds more fuel to the owner meddling fire.
The Patriots currently hold seven picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, which kicks off on Thursday, April 25 at 8 p.m.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
Related
