Former New England Patriots star Julian Edelman has revealed that there was a palpable amount of tension in the air before the Netflix roast of Tom Brady, particularly between former coach Bill Belichick and team owner Robert Kraft.
In the lead-up to Netflix's "The Roast of Tom Brady," tensions simmered beneath the surface, according to former New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman. Edelman, alongside ex-Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe, painted a vivid picture of the charged atmosphere that preceded the highly anticipated event.
As the stars gathered in the green room, Edelman recounted an initially jovial mood surrounding former head coach Bill Belichick. However, the atmosphere took a turn when team owner Robert Kraft entered the room. "The tension in that room, though, could cut f---ing glass," Edelman recalled. "It was so awkward."
Bledsoe corroborated Edelman's account, describing the tension as "crazy s---" and hinting that the animosity was "very, very real." "I was just like, 'Oh s---, this could be some fireworks,'" Edelman added.
According to Bledsoe, Belichick's demeanor had been notably different before the roast. "Pre-show, we're in the green room... he's excited to see so many of his former players," Edelman said. However, Belichick's relaxed facade vanished once Kraft arrived.
Edelman noted that Belichick was initially enjoying himself, cracking jokes and sharing stories, but his mood instantly soured upon Kraft's entrance. "It was like amplified, because he's excited to see guys because he doesn't have a job anymore," Edelman explained.
Despite the palpable tension, Bledsoe revealed that Belichick and Kraft did manage to have a private conversation, albeit briefly. "They did break it down and got together for 10 minutes at least, the two of them," Bledsoe said.
During the roast, comedian Kevin Hart attempted to ease the tension by encouraging Belichick and Kraft to each take a shot of alcohol as a gesture of goodwill. Kraft took the opportunity to express his gratitude for Belichick's contributions, stating, "Having Tom Brady and him was the greatest honor the good Lord gave me."
Belichick's departure from the Patriots after 24 seasons with the team further strained his relationship with Kraft. The coach's unsuccessful attempts to secure another head coaching position have been attributed to Kraft's alleged interference.
In April, ESPN reported that Kraft contacted Falcons owner Arthur Blank following Belichick's interview for Atlanta's head coaching job, suggesting that the coach was not trustworthy.
Despite Belichick's remarkable success in New England, which included six Super Bowl titles, the Patriots have struggled since Brady's departure. The team finished the 2023 season with a dismal 4-13 record, marking the first time Belichick has failed to win a playoff game since he took over as head coach.
The tensions that surfaced during the Tom Brady roast serve as a stark reminder of the tumultuous relationship between Belichick and Kraft in recent years. While the roast was intended to be a lighthearted celebration of Brady's illustrious career, it inadvertently exposed the underlying divisions within the once-dominant Patriots organization.
