Sign up for Patriots updates🏈
Get breaking news and analysis delivered to your inbox during football season.
The sight of Robert and Jonathan Kraft at the end of the Patriots’ disheartening 10-6 loss to the Colts in Germany last week said it all as far as their frustrations amid a 2-8 season.
Robert Kraft is going through it right now. pic.twitter.com/f7RfANtH9N
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 12, 2023
But it seems like Jonathan Kraft — the current president of the Patriots — had a lot more to say during yet another frustrating defeat on Nov. 12 in Frankfurt.
Former Patriots linebacker Rob Ninkovich was on hand for New England’s anticipated international matchup against Indianapolis, who noted on his “The Dan and Ninko Show” podcast that two specific plays last Sunday drew the ire of Kraft.
“Jonathan gets very vocal, very vocal. He was just not happy,” Ninkovich said. “So, he was very mad two times. He was very mad. They didn’t have a returner on one of the punt rushes. They were trying to block the punt. So, he was pissed.
“He was like, ‘Why the (expletive) don’t we have a returner back there? This is stupid. The ball’s going to get pinned down there and we’re going to be on the 1-yard line.’ He was so pissed. He was so pissed. Mr. (Robert) Kraft is pretty even-keeled, though.”
The @Patriots went for the all out punt block with no returner on the field.
— NFL (@NFL) November 12, 2023
📺: #INDvsNE on NFL Network
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/d4RDZpceuE pic.twitter.com/n1K6HaeLYT
As for the other play that made Kraft displeased? As expected, it was Mac Jones’ costly red-zone interception that saw a comeback win slip through New England’s grasp.
“He was pissed at the interception,” Ninkovich said of Kraft. “He was like, ‘We’re bad.’”
Mac Jones throws an interception at the goal line late in the 4th 😬
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) November 12, 2023
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/XjmcHfW88E
It remains to be seen if Jones will remain as New England’s starting QB after the bye week, while Bill Belichick’s job security will be a narrative that lingers over this team for the next two months.
But with seven more games left on their team’s regular-season docket, the Kraft family will likely need to trudge through a few more lowlights before this 2023 campaign comes to a merciful end.
Get breaking news and analysis delivered to your inbox during football season.
Stay up to date on all the latest news from Boston.com
Stay up to date with everything Boston. Receive the latest news and breaking updates, straight from our newsroom to your inbox.
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com