“He hasn’t been to the NFC title game in two decades”: Patriots owner Robert Kraft fumes over Jerry Jones' Hall of Fame induction
Robert Kraft and Jerry Jones have had a complex relationship over the years, starring in heated moments as NFL owners. As Kraft keeps aiming to make it to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Jones became a member in 2017.
It's been some time since that moment, but reporter Don Van Natta Jr. recalled an interaction the frustrated Kraft had with somebody close to him after learning about Jerry Jones' induction.
"He hasn't been to the NFC title game in two decades, and he gets in?" Kraft told a confidant. "How does that work?"
Truth be told, Kraft had a solid point. Even though the Cowboys became one of the best teams ever in the 1990s, winning five NFC East titles and three Super Bowls between 1991 and 1996, their success stopped there, and no matter how hard Jones tried to replicate it, they haven't played an NFC championship game since 1995.
As for Kraft, he took over in the 2000s and especially the 2010s, making the New England Patriots the greatest dynasty the league has seen. Ironically, the same year Jones was inducted into the Hall of Immortals and Kraft was snubbed, the Patriots pulled off a 29-3 comeback against the Atlanta Falcons to win Super Bowl LI.
Right now, New England appears nowhere close to playing in another Super Bowl while the Cowboys have had three straight 12-win seasons, but Kraft keeps pushing to get himself an honor that's been elusive.
Robert Kraft, Jerry Jones engaged in heated back-and-forth over Roger Goodell's contract
In 2022, as league owners voted to open negotiations on a new contract with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Jerry Jones and Robert Kraft went at it during a meeting, with Jones reportedly telling Kraft, "Don't f**k with me." Kraft replied, "Excuse me?" before Jones changed the "f**k" for "mess," and the exchange cooled off.
The voting ended with a clear win for the owners in favor of Goodell extending his stay, 31-1, with Jones being the only vote against that measure. Kraft and Jones are responsible for creating two of the most iconic and polarizing recent NFL dynasties before the current Kansas City Chiefs.
Despite not being on good terms with Super Bowl wins, they remain competitive and ready to clash with each other to defend their interests. There are new rules to induct coaches and contributors to the HOF, which should open a path for Kraft.