Bill Belichick publicly responded to New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft's assertion that hiring him was a "big risk." Belichick acknowledged that joining the Patriots involved a considerable risk but highlighted that the process of his hiring was complex, involving an antitrust lawsuit he filed against the NFL. At the time, Kraft had only been the Patriots' owner for six years and had not yet established the influence he later gained within the league. Belichick's remarks came as a rare instance of him pushing back against Kraft's comments, which had been previously expressed on a podcast by Julian Edelman. The exchange underscores the nuanced history between the coach and the owner regarding the circumstances of Belichick's appointment as head coach.