Robert Kraft said last week that his team would accept any punishment it received from the league as a result of the Wells Report.
Now? Passive acceptance of the punishment doesn't necessarily seem like a guarantee.
The Patriots chairman and CEO released a statement on Monday night that made it very clear he was surprised by the severity of the punishment levied by the league for Deflategate: Quarterback Tom Brady was suspended four games without pay, and the team was docked two draft picks -- a first-rounder in 2016 and a fourth-rounder in 2017 -- as well as fined $1 million.
Here is the full statement, that also re-emphasized the Kraft family's support for Brady.
"Despite our conviction that there was no tampering with footballs, it was our intention to accept any discipline levied by the league. Today’s punishment, however, far exceeded any reasonable expectation. It was based completely on circumstantial rather than hard or conclusive evidence.
"We are humbled by the support the New England Patriots have received from our fans throughout the world. We recognize our fans’ concerns regarding the NFL’s penalties and share in their disappointment in how this one-sided investigation was handled, as well as the dismissal of the scientific evidence supported by the Ideal Gas Law in the final report.
"Tom Brady has our unconditional support. Our belief in him has not wavered."