The growing rift between New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft is down to the Kraft family "taking control" after the franchise missed the playoffs and face a potentially bleak immediate future.
The Patriots staggered to an 8-9 record in 2022 with a faltering offence proving to derail a promising campaign by a strong defensive unit. After the year concluded, Kraft released a letter to season ticket holders insisting "no one in the organisation is satisfied" with the results from the past season, revealing the team will undergo "critical evaluations" this offseason.
These appear to be the return of Bill O’Brien as offensive coordinator, who takes the reins from Matt Patricia - a defensive coach. The Pats have also brought in receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and tight end Mike Gesicki as weapons for quarterback Mac Jones amid an arms race in the AFC East as the New York Jets close in on a trade for four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers.
