The strangest soundbite from the 82-year-old Kraft pertained to his explanation for why 29-year-old wide receiver Calvin Ridley opted to reject an offer from the Patriots in free agency and instead sign with the Titans on a reported four-year deal that included $50 million in guaranteed money.
“We pursued the people we wanted in free agency. There was one outstanding receiver that unfortunately we couldn’t close. It was not a because of finance,” Kraft claimed. “He made clear that his girlfriend wanted to be in the south, and we had a situation where the taxes were like almost 10-percent higher. We offered—or were willing—to keep going to add that premium, but he didn’t want to be in the northeast. Part of it might be the quarterback situation as well.”