Robert Kraft held an off-the-record breakfast last week with the smattering of Patriots reporters who were in Phoenix covering Super Bowl LVII.
On “Gresh & Fauria” Tuesday, NBC Sports Boston’s Tom Curran, who was one of four reporters at said breakfast, shared some of the themes that were covered.
Most of all, Curran says the Patriots’ owner wanted to stress his day-to-day involvement in the team.
“To me, it was more reiterating for us, the stern tone of that season ticket holder that he sent out at the end of the season: how disappointed they were, how unsatisfying it was, and how committed they are to making sure it goes better,” he said. “I think he wanted to reiterate that to anybody who was at the table. This isn’t compromising anything that was on or off the record, this is characterizing the conversation.”
Kraft sent out an email to season ticket holders the morning after the regular-season finale, pledging the Patriots would scrutinize all aspects of their football operation over the offseason. A few days later, the team issued an uncharacteristic press release announcing contract extension discussions with Jerod Mayo and the start of an offensive coordinator search.
The Patriots hired Bill O’Brien to return in January, and last week, hired Adrian Klemm as an offensive assistant.
Curran says Kraft has played a hand in the remaking of the coaching staff.
“Don’t think he’s uninvolved. He was involved, and he cited in other interviews that he was involved in the decision on offensive coaching. He wants people to know he’s involved,” said Curran.
We'll see whether Kraft's influence can be spotted for the duration of the offseason. NFL free agency starts one month from Wednesday.
