The New England Patriots still appear to be in no rush to hire a general manager, as made evident by Robert Kraft in the team’s press conference on Wednesday.
The team formally announced Jerod Mayo as the next head coach of the Patriots organization. According to Kraft, the Patriots will decide on roster moves within the organization in the short-term, and they will interview general manager candidates at a later date.
It’s a unique approach for the team, especially with the 2024 NFL draft only being three months away. The Patriots hold the No. 3 overall pick in the draft with multiple positions needing an upgrade.
“We have a lot of people internally who have had a chance to train and learn under the greatest coach of all time and a man whose football intellect is very special,” said Kraft. “So, in the short-term, we’re looking for collaboration. Our team has a tremendous opportunity to position itself right, given our salary cap space, and we’ve never drafted, in my 30 years of ownership, we’ve never been drafting as low as we’re drafting.
“So we’re counting on our internal people, whom we’re still learning and evaluating. So we’re going to let that evolve and develop, and before the key decisions have to be made, we will appoint someone.”
A veteran coach recently floated the idea of the Patriots possibly turning into the Dallas Cowboys 2.0 with their being no clear direction of leadership, when it came to making personnel decisions.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is a very hands-on owner. Could Kraft be looking to run things in similar fashion in New England?
We may not have to wait long to find out.