Tom Brady‘s Netflix roast provided a frosty reunion between New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft and former head coach Bill Belichick, Julian Edelman revealed.
Belichick agreed to relinquish his reign at the helm of the Patriots at the end of a woeful 4-13 2023 season following his 24-year tenure in New England, where he won six Super Bowls.
The legendary coach came face-to-face with his former boss following his exit at Netflix’s ‘The Roast of Tom Brady’ on Sunday.
While the memorable evening was filled with laughter and most of the guests present, including Edelman and Drew Bledsoe, were in good spirits, the tension between Belichick and Kraft was palpable, according to the former wide receiver.
‘The tension in that room though — could cut f***ing glass,’ Edelman said on his Games with Names podcast alongside guest Bledsoe.
+7
View gallery
+7
View gallery
Julian Edelman (L) opened up on the tension between Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick (far right)
‘I was watching Coach and I tried to give Coach a heads up. I see Kraft walk in, I’m like “Yo, coach OOO!” Like some locker room s***. Like, “5-O, 5-O.”
‘Of course he didn’t f***ing see it. And [Kraft] came in and I was just like “Oh s*** this could be some fireworks.” I just walked away.’
The two former Patriots also opened up on the pre-roast atmosphere in the green room.
‘Bill’s opening up. He’s having fun,’ Edelman began. ‘He’s talking war stories, talking rookies, talking fun s***, doing s*** we know that Bill’s all about, but it was amplified because he was excited to see [you] guys.’
‘And then Kraft walks in,’ Bledsoe added
‘They did break it down, got together for probably 10 minutes at least, the two of them,’ Bledsoe explained.
+7
View gallery
Former Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe (L) revealed that the pair did talk together
Despite the reported frosty atmosphere, Kevin Hart seemingly took it upon himself to play peacemaker.
Following Kraft’s brief turn with the microphone, the comedian forced the pair to take a shot together at the podium.
‘I do have some questions… you and Bill are so far apart from each other. I just feel like why don’t you take a shot together? Let’s make the uncomfortable uncomfortable.’
The Patriots owner immediately made his way to the stage with his shot glass in hand but an extremely awkward Belichick was bit more reluctant, having to effectively be peer pressured.
Kraft hailed his former head coach as the ‘greatest in the history of the game’, while Belichick stood next to him, visibly uneasy.
+7
View gallery
Kevin hart tried to play peacemaker, forcing the pair to take a shot together at the podium
+7
View gallery
Outgoing Patriots coach Bill Belichick (L) hugs owner Robert Kraft on January 11
+7
View gallery
Belichick led Kraft’s franchise to six Super Bowl wins during his 24-year tenure
Just minutes before, Kraft had appeared to take a slight dig at Belichick in his mini roast, saying: ‘Like many family reunions, there’s some people I’m desperately trying to avoid… Coach Belichick, good to see you. You really look debonair in sleeves. ‘
Even before his departure, Belichick’s relationship with Kraft was rumored to be frayed, even if the two seemed amicable at the coach’s outgoing press conference in February.
But when Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank came calling about Belichick, Kraft did not put in a good word for his former employee, one source told ESPN, who says the billionaire ‘was a big part’ of the coach’s failed job hunt.
One source claims Kraft told Blank that ‘you’ll never have a warm conversation with’ Belichick, which was a major issue for an owner who likes to create a family atmosphere, the report claims. Blank ultimately hired Raheem Morris at the urging of several team officials.