Patriots quarterback Tom Brady plans to continue the appeal of his four-game suspension. (Andy Lyons, Getty Images)
Owner Robert Kraft took a step back Tuesday, viewing the Patriots’ drama through a wider lens. After initially contesting the findings of Deflategate, Kraft said from the owners spring meeting that he would “reluctantly accept” commissioner Roger Goodell’s discipline of the team and not appeal the discipline.
This represents a stark reversal for Kraft. Kraft insisted the Wells’ report was flawed and that quarterback Tom Brady told him the truth when he said he did nothing against the rules regarding the use of deflated footballs in the AFC Championship game.
Kraft insisted Tuesday that he didn’t want the “rhetoric to continue,” noting it was not good for the league. He didn’t say whether he will advise Brady to drop the appeal of his four-game suspension. The NFL Players Association announced that Kraft’s decision will not impact Brady’s position. The Patriots received a record-breaking $1-million fine and lost a number one draft pick in 2016 and a fourth-round selection in 2017.
“Mr. Kraft is a brilliant businessman,” said former Patriots offensive lineman Damien Woody. “This was good for business.”
Of course, skepticism surrounds Kraft’s move. Was it for the greater good? Or the best thing for his quarterback, who could have his suspension reduced by the league now that the team has dropped its scorch-the-earth defense? Kraft found himself in a difficult position. No one offered more public support of Goodell last season when the commissioner was universally panned for his handling of the Ray Rice case.
The NFLPA agreed to allow Goodell to have absurd power in discipline cases, and the owners didn’t challenge it. It creates an avenue for Goodell to drop the hammer, shielding owners from direct hits. Kraft had his back on this. To reverse course when it affected his team left him open to continued criticism. Whether this was a political will be debated as Brady’s appeal plays out.
Kraft took the punishment without taking questions. For a few days last week, he rejoiced in the conflict. But continuing the fight, in my opinion, might not have been the best strategy to accelerate the return of arguably the game’s greatest-ever quarterback.
