Robert Kraft admits getting emotional over Tom Brady’s departure from the Patriots: “The greatest cycle in the history of the NFL is ending”

When Brady announced he was leaving, Kraft knew that the Patriots dominance would come to an end.

Robert Kraft admits getting emotional over Tom Brady’s departure from the Patriots: “The greatest cycle in the history of the NFL is ending”

Robert Kraft and Tom Brady (Image via IMAGO)

Robert Kraft knew the moment Tom Brady made up his mind to leave the New England Patriots, the greatest era in franchise history would come to an end. Possibly even the NFL’s history.

During the recent episode of the Apple TV+ documentary “The Dynasty: New England Patriots,” Robert Kraft poured his heart into explaining what was going through his mind when TB12 decided to pull the plug on his Patriots career. There were several memorable moments during his stay in Foxborough. A testament to it is the banners hanging inside Gillette Stadium.

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However, one of the significant events that Kraft can’t seem to let go of is Brady leaving Boston for Florida and joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He realized it was the end of the Patriot dynasty.

Kraft said, reminiscing about his decision:

I thought, 'Wow, the greatest cycle in the history of the NFL is ending.'
Robert Kraft said

But Tom Brady himself wasn’t too happy about his departure from the team where he won six Super Bowls as a quarterback. Kraft also added that the 15-time Pro Bowler revealed that he had tears in his eyes. 

Kraft said:

I've decided to move on. And as soon as he said it, he started crying. His crying told me everything I needed to know.
Robert Kraft added

Tom Brady’s first words to Robert Kraft after the draft

Kraft also shed light on Brady’s first words for him after the New England Patriots selected him in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft. TB12 told the 82-year-old that he had made the correct choice.

Brady told Kraft as per TMZ:

The best decision the organization has ever made in drafting him #199 in the sixth round.
Tom Brady told Robert Kraft

Well, they had added a future Hall of Famer and arguably the best-ever football player. Unfortunately, Brady had to finish his career elsewhere, following a rumored fallout with head coach Bill Belichick. The Athletic wrote that ‘The Dynasty’ is “the most comprehensive view yet” on how sour the relationship between Brady and Belichick became that it propelled him to leave the Patriots.

Brady said in one of the episodes, as per The Athletic:

Me and Coach [Bill] Belichick did what we loved and competed for 20 years together. But I wasn’t going to sign another contract [in New England] even if I wanted to play until I was 50. Based on how things had gone.
Tom Brady said

The five-time Super Bowl MVP wanted to sign a $50 million-a-year deal to stay in New England. However, the Patriots were unwilling to pay, which resulted in his move to the Bucs. Despite that, when he returned to Foxborough last year for his official farewell, he revealed to be a ‘Patriot for life.’

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