A very candid moment occurred on air Thursday night between Patriots owner Robert Kraft and NFL Network guest analyst Heath Evans prior to the New England-Jacksonville preseason game.

Kraft was finishing an answer to a question about Chad Ochocinco and Albert Haynesworth, when Evans tried to move on to the next question. But before he could, Kraft interrupted and began what became a touching back-and-forth between the two men.

“I love the NFL Network. (But) I think you’re too young to be working for it,” Kraft told Evans. “I think you should still be out there.”

Then Kraft looked to the camera, as if to speak to the audience, and spoke proudly of Evans like he was family.

“When this guy was up with us, he had a great following,” Kraft said. “First class guy, Heath Evans. … We haven’t had a real fullback since you left us.”

Evans, a 10-year veteran who played for the Patriots from 2005 to 2008, is a free agent (most recently played with the Saints) still looking for a team this season. He has said he would gladly welcome a return to New England.

Might that be in the cards? Kraft will have to see if coach Bill Belichick is OK with it first.

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