Robert Kraft on Drafting a QB: 'Obviously at Some Point We Have To'

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft knows the team will have to figure out a long-term answer at quarterback with Tom Brady turning 41 in August.

Per ESPN's Mike Reiss, Kraft acknowledged during the NFL's owners meetings that drafting a quarterback is something the Patriots need to consider:

"I'm going to put my fan hat on, and obviously at some point we have to. Not just that, but think what happened in the '08 season when in the first quarter against Kansas City, Tom [Brady] goes out. How many people would have said that Matt Cassel would have led us to an 11-5 season? I put my faith and confidence in Bill [Belichick]. He knows his responsibilities. Anything can happen, even if Tom comes in [and is in] tip-top shape."

The Patriots have not shied away from drafting quarterbacks. Jacoby Brissett (2016), Jimmy Garoppolo (2014) and Ryan Mallett (2011) were all selected by the team within the first three rounds. 

Mallett appeared in four games during the 2012 season but never started a game before being traded to the Houston Texans in 2014. 

Garoppolo and Brissett started four games to begin the 2016 season when Brady was serving a suspension for his role in Deflategate. The Patriots won three of those four games en route to winning Super Bowl LI with Brady back under center. 

The Patriots dealt Brissett to the Indianapolis Colts prior to the start of last season, and Garoppolo was traded to the San Francisco 49ers on Oct. 30. 

New England's current quarterback depth chart features Brady and Brian Hoyer. There's no indication Brady, even at the age of 40, is slowing down. He was named the NFL MVP last season after leading the league with 4,577 passing yards.