Robert Kraft Details ‘Eye-Opening’ Experience Amid Patriots’ Struggles

Longtime Patriots owner Robert Kraft entered unfamiliar territory in recent years, and he hasn’t enjoyed it.

Speaking with the media Tuesday in West Palm Beach, Kraft labeled the last two years as “the worst” he’s experienced in New England as team owner. That sentiment was based in fact, too, as the last two campaigns marked the first occasions the Patriots won less than five games in a season since Kraft purchased the franchise in 1994.

Losing a lot of games is one thing, but a dramatic shift in morale and culture are separate issues. Kraft understandably was pretty taken by how bad things got at One Patriot Place.

“Going through these last two years and the way things were and the culture that was there, it really opened my eyes in a way,” Kraft told reporters, per The Boston Globe. “We think we’re bonded and we have things, but it just was not a good environment. We want to do everything we can to make this the feeling that this is one of the best places you can go.

“I think we had that for quite a while, in terms of winning and people wanted to come here. And then the last couple of years changed it. Now it’s management and ownership’s job to do everything they can to create the culture that this is a place where people want to come to. I really believe it’s happening. Now we’ve got to produce on the field and get people to want to be in this environment. We’re trying to do the different things we can to make that happen.”

Kraft believes the Patriots are further along in their rebuild than it seems, which might be due in part to New England’s productive offseason. But like head coach Mike Vrabel, Kraft fully understands improvements on paper only goes so far. The Patriots owner knows winning games is the only cure for ongoing struggles.

New England has positioned itself for more triumphs in 2025 than the last two seasons, but time will tell if Vrabel and company can capitalize on an improved roster.