How was Kraft unfairly blamed? Is Bob Kraft's job to keep the Patriots competitive, or to contribute to the NFL's agenda? These two things are not the same.
The only reason the NFL is now able to keep Brown in limbo is because the Patriots decision to release him. I don't see how this changes the narrative at all. It's obvious the NFL doesn't want Brown to play. The team still could have kept him, at which point the NFL's power to keep him on ice would have been greatly be reduced by his rights via the NFLPA. Kraft did Goodell's bidding for him by releasing Brown, which he was under no obligation to do. Now that Brown isn't an official player, the NFL can have their way. The Patriots are a weakened team and out of cap space for 2019. The league is happy. Classic Bob. Brady should be furious with his own owner...who could have allowed Brown to go through his bargained-for rights which would consist of an investigation, likely suspension, and then return to the team.
Many players have faced this type of impending disciplinary action by the league. Owners should be fighting for their right to keep their player, based on previous precedents. I don't see how anyone doesn't recognized Kraft as a total buffoon here who didn't learn his lesson from 2015. Once again he caved to the pressure for "in the league's best interest" when 31 other owners are probably laughing their asses off about his gullibility. Great game yesterday by Tyreek Hill, by the way. Antonio Brown sure didn't have any problems while a member of the Steelers, despite acts of endangerment.