Robert Kraft: Last two years ‘worst years of my 31 years of ownership’

The New England Patriots made sweeping changes to their organization in 2025 for the second consecutive offseason.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft acknowledged those changes were necessary as New England looks to become a contender again.

‘The last two years were the worst years of my 31 years of ownership,’ Kraft said in a discussion with ESPN’s Adam Schefter at Fanatics Fest over the weekend. ‘We have to change that.’

The Patriots posted a combined 8-26 record over the last two seasons and have changed coaches after each campaign. A 4-13 finish to the 2023 season cost franchise legend Bill Belichick his job, while Jerod Mayo was made a one-and-done coach after posting the same mark in 2024.

Kraft believes new coach Mike Vrabel will be able to achieve better results and stabilize the franchise. He credited Vrabel as being ‘really connected with the players’ and ‘doing great work’ over his first six months with the team.

Kraft also expressed confidence in the offseason moves the Patriots made to fortify their roster. He lauded the team for landing ‘a lot of great veterans’ and bringing in a strong draft class to supplement those big-money acquisitions.

The Patriots spent heavily to make the roster upgrades Kraft deemed necessary. New England doled out more than $360.8 million with its free agent contracts, per Spotrac.com. That was by far the most in the league and $95.2 million more than the second-highest spenders, the Minnesota Vikings.

Thanks to those improvements, Kraft believes New England is on the right track. That has left him ‘very excited about the upcoming season.’

‘We’re gonna have fun this year,’ he said. ‘I promise.’

All the NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY’s 4th and Monday newsletter.