PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The annual "State of the Patriots" conversation happens this week during the NFL Owners Meetings at the oh-so-opulent Breakers.
First-year head coach Mike Vrabel speaks early Monday at the Coaches' Breakfast. We expect owner Robert Kraft to spend time with the media Tuesday. If this year is like every other, words will be spoken by both men that fans and media will reference and re-reference all year long. And sometimes, even longer.
Last year, it was Kraft saying in part, “We might struggle more than I want …” then adding ominously, “I just hope we don’t struggle…"
In 2023, it was Kraft continuing a 2020s tradition of saber-rattling at Bill Belichick, saying, “In the end, this is a business.