Trouble in paradise?
Not in the Sunshine State, where New York tabloids and TMZ alike have sent crews to investigate the relationship status of Tom Brady and Gisele Bunchden.
The real relationship intrigue is between the greatest coach in NFL history and the beloved owner who turned a franchise on the brink of destruction to the most feared dynasty in the history of the league.
Speculation about the dynamic between Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft has been there from the early seedlings of this long marriage. There’s been no shortage of scandal to test the bonds, and no doubt, bumps along the road. Just look to Seth Wickersham’s account in his book, “It’s Better to be Feared,” in which he recounts Kraft reportedly calling Belichick, “the biggest f---ing asshole of my life” at a conference among friends.
Tensions between the two appeared to reach a near boiling point in 2018, with the trade of backup quarterback Jimmy Garrappolo to San Francisco.
But it’s difficult to recall a time when Kraft specifically weighed in on in-game coaching decisions, such as the playing time of a specific athlete. That would be an entirely different level of involvement in football operations.
Sunday's loss to the Miami Dolphins was underscored by a lack of playing time from wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, who only took the field for two plays. One of those resulted in a 41-yard connection from Mac Jones. NBCSports Boston Patriots Insider Tom E. Curran offered WEEI's "Gresh and Keefe" some insight as to what Bourne's future might hold after the loss.
“It’s my understanding -- I wasn’t told directly -- but from what I have gleaned, Robert Kraft noticed it, Robert Kraft made his opinion known, and going forward I think Kendrick Bourne will have a bigger role,” he said.
Curran later elaborated on "Merloni, Fauria, and Mego" that the message may have originated from Belichick himself. There's too much grey area and far too much unknown to call it anything near meddling for the owner to single out a player in the locker room about his playing time. But it harkens back to shots Kraft fired during the NFL owners meeting last spring: three years without winning a playoff game is a long time. Kraft took a hammer to his piggy bank during 2021 Free Agency, and he’d like to see some return on investment. Bourne, with his 800 receiving yards on 53 catches last season, is one of the few offensive weapons acquired who outplayed his contract.
And the bubbly, smiling receiver appears to have built a good rapport with Kraft, hugging him upon entry to Training Camp this summer and celebrating with him after wins in the locker room last season.
Kraft could teach a masterclass in the separation of church and state with how he’s stayed out of football operations with Belichick at the helm. But if season three Post-TB ends with more losses than wins, keep an eye on whether that may waver. Losses sow the seeds of doubt, frustration, and most of all, a lack of patience – none of which make for a very happy couple.