Bill Belichick says he took 'big risk' taking Patriots job - ESPN

Bill Belichick has rarely reacted publicly to comments made about him by Patriots owner Robert Kraft since the two men parted ways 18 months ago after a remarkable 24-year NFL dynasty in New England.

But on the heels of recent comments by Kraft that he took a «big risk» by hiring Belichick in 1999, Belichick responded in a statement to ESPN that it was he who took a «big risk» by joining a flailing franchise with few resources that was $10 million over the salary cap.

«As I told Robert multiple times through the years, I took a big risk by taking the New England Patriots head coaching job,» Belichick told ESPN in response to questions. «I already had an opportunity to be the Head Coach of the New York Jets, but the ownership situation was unstable.»

Belichick said he was urged by scores of people to reject Kraft's offer and remain with the Jets, who had just hired him, despite the instability.

«I had been warned by multiple previous Patriots' coaches, as well as other members of other NFL organizations and the media, that the New England job was going to come with many internal obstacles,» Belichick said. «I made it clear that we would have to change the way the team was managed to regain the previously attained success.»

Asked during a recent appearance to name his best decision in three decades as Patriots owner, Kraft immediately mentioned his decision in 1999 to hire Belichick — and the «big risk» he took to do so.

«The one that got questioned the most was in 1999,» Kraft said on the «Dudes on Dudes» podcast co-hosted by Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski last month at Fanatics Fest.

«I gave up a No. 1 draft pick for a coach that had only won a little over 40% of his games to get him out,» Kraft said. «I don't know if