Patriots Ownership Sends Rare Appreciation to Fans
With Bill Belichick out, the sun has officially set on the New England Patriots' dynasty days and given way to a new day under coach Jerod Mayo.
As if the Patriots' first coaching change in almost a quarter of a century wasn't enough, this offseason is shaping up to be the franchise's biggest in decades. New England not only has nearly $70 million in cap space to work with, but also the third overall pick in the highly-anticipated 2023 NFL Draft. After a disastrous 4-13 campaign, the Patriots' roster is likely in for a massive overhaul this offseason.
Entering a new era in such a fashion always comes with some feeling of uneasiness, but also some renewed optimism. As such, Patriots owner Robert Kraft and his son and team president Jonathan Kraft penned a letter to season ticket holders thanking them for their continued support.
"As we embark on this new era, we look forward to the most anticipated NFL Draft of our tenure," the Krafts wrote. "With the third overall pick, we have the highest draft position since the Patriots drafted Drew Bledsoe with the number one overall selection 31 years ago. The focus this offseason is to acquire the talent and leadership necessary to rebuild a culture committed to winning.
"We share the perspective of being fans first, as many of our family’s greatest memories have been spent together at games in Foxborough, which is why we greatly appreciate the commitment and passion our Season Ticket Members have maintained over the past 30 years. We are reminded daily how lucky we are to be stewards of the New England Patriots thanks to fans like you."
Right now, free agency is still over a month away and the draft is even further out than that. Currently, the Patriots' focus lies on surrounding Mayo with the right coaches to help him succeed and preparing for the main events to come later in the offseason.
It will take time for the Patriots to return to the top of the league, if they ever do. However, the prospect of change gives fans something to look forward to in the mean time.
