Patriots News: Bill Belichick, Mac Jones, Robert Kraft and Matthew Slater

Robert Kraft shares fans' disappointment about the Patriots season

Robert Kraft has never been shy from speaking to the media over the 29 years he has owned the Patriots, but it seems he's become a bit more candid during the last three years, as the team has had a drastic fall from grace post-Tom Brady.

It's fair to assume he was more understanding in the season immediately following the legendary quarterback's departure since any team would struggle after losing the face of their franchise. He was a bit more content in 2021, Mac Jones' rookie season, as the Patriots appeared back on track with what appeared to be their new QB1.

The season started rough, but by Week 7, they went on a seven-game winning streak, which became a significant factor in ensuring their chances of making the playoffs. They inevitably accomplished that, only to get completely obliterated by the Bills in what is now known as the perfect offensive game. However, it was a noteworthy feat since they missed the postseason the year before.

And then the 2022 season happened, and we know how that unfolded.

Expectations were high coming into this year, with big changes made to the coaching staff and what most believed was a good draft. It gave Kraft hope that they would be far more successful than in previous years, even sharing he felt outsiders were underestimating what the Patriots could be in 2023.

Unfortunately, that's not what has transpired so far, as New England enters Week 11 with a 2-8 record, something Kraft mentioned he has never experienced as the team owner when speaking to NFL Network's Rich Eisen before the Patriots' matchup with the Colts last Sunday.

"This our 30th year that I’ve had the privilege of owning this team, and I’ve never been 2-7. So, it’s really disappointing. I had hoped that things would be a lot better, as I know our fanbase did. And I hope today is a chance to reset and make this a much better year. This isn’t what we were expecting to happen this year."

It's one thing to hear a sentiment like this from the fanbase, but it's another to listen to it from the team's owner. Kraft has continued to speak candidly when discussing the team in recent months, and it's interesting to listen to him share in fans' disappointment while acknowledging that they've let them down.

But now it's about the action beyond the words to see what he will inevitably do to make sure the team is much improved next season and hopefully more on the path to getting back to the Patriots football we've become accustomed to.

What that entails is difficult to say, but most can agree that significant changes need to be made no matter what that is.