Robert Kraft explains why he’s ‘actually hopeful’ in regards to the 2023 Patriots

Patriots

“I preferred our draft this 12 months, and I hope that interprets on the sphere.”

New England Patriots team president Jonathan Kraft, left, first-round pick, cornerback Christian Gonzalez, center, and team owner Robert Kraft, right, hold a team jersey as Gonzalez is introduced to the media at Gillette Stadium, Friday April 28, 2021, in Foxboro, Mass.
Robert Kraft is anticipating massive issues from Christian Gonzalez and the Patriots’ 2023 draft class. .(AP Picture/Paul Connors)

After acknowledging again in March that he was “very dissatisfied” with the Patriots’ 2022 season, Robert Kraft echoed a extra optimistic message about New England’s possibilities of a bounce-back season on Thursday.

Whereas chatting with ESPN’s Mike Reiss and different reporters on the Myra Kraft Group MVP Awards luncheon at Gillette Stadium, Kraft defined why he’s inspired by this revamped roster.

“I’m excited to have soccer again,” Kraft mentioned. “I preferred our draft this 12 months, and I hope that interprets on the sphere. I do know the blokes are working very laborious. I believe we’ve probably the most troublesome division within the NFL — one of the best steadiness of groups. All the opposite three groups are good, so we’ll have our challenges. However I’m actually hopeful about this staff.”

It’s nonetheless far too early to dimension up New England’s 2023 draft class and whether or not or not they will make an instantaneous influence on the sphere this fall. However final month, Kraft mentioned on NFL Community that New England was in a position to choose all seven gamers that they initially tabbed on their draft board.

“I used to be pondering, draft day, on the finish of draft day, my eldest son Jonathan and I have been chatting and I mentioned, ‘This was a fantastic, nice draft. I’m actually optimistic in regards to the staff,’” Kraft mentioned. “And he mentioned, ‘Dad, you do this yearly. You say that yearly.’ However I actually consider it.

“We have been in a position to get the highest seven picks that we had recognized earlier than the draft. I believe it provides us a superb steadiness of what our wants are. I believe our free agent pickups, and getting (offensive coordinator) Invoice O’Brien in, will make an enormous distinction and I’m very longing for the staff.”

Invoice O’Brien’s steadying affect on an offensive unit marred by dysfunction in 2022 ought to assist New England make a push for the playoffs this fall, particularly if Mac Jones rebounds from a poor sophomore marketing campaign.

Even when the Patriots make main strides in 2023, there isn’t any assure that the staff pushes additional up within the standings, particularly when factoring in different robust matchups towards the Eagles, Chiefs, Chargers, and extra.