Tom Brady Discloses the Primary Reason for Departure from the Patriots…

Even the strongest professional partnerships have their limits, and Tom Brady recognized the need for a change when he left the New England Patriots to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020.

Brady opened up about this decision in the documentary series, “The Dynasty,” set to premiere on Apple TV+ this Friday. The series revisits the Patriots’ dynasty, largely shaped by Brady and former head coach Bill Belichick. In the documentary, Brady candidly reveals the main reason for seeking a change in 2020.

“After 20 years of doing what we loved and competing together, Coach Belichick and I had reached a point where I wasn’t willing to sign another contract [in New England], even if my desire to play extended to the age of 50. Given the circumstances, I wasn’t willing to commit to more of the same,” stated Brady in the documentary, as reported by Chad Graff in The Athletic on Wednesday.

The final year with the Patriots in 2019 was challenging for Brady, marked by a lack of skilled wide receivers and the retirement of tight end Rob Gronkowski. Brady opted for the Buccaneers in free agency due to their strong defense, solid offensive line, and a talented receiving corps featuring Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

Post-Brady, Belichick struggled to maintain the Patriots’ success. In 2020, New England missed the playoffs with Cam Newton at quarterback, followed by a Wild Card game loss with rookie Mac Jones in 2021. The subsequent years, 2022 and 2023, witnessed further setbacks with Jones and Bailey Zappe.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft, while not extensively featured in the documentary, shed light on why Brady felt the need to move on from working with Belichick. Kraft remarked in the documentary, according to Graff, that “Tom and I had several discussions about how Bill treated him.”

“Tommy is very sensitive. He was always seeking Bill’s approval, almost in a father-son dynamic. And that’s not Bill’s style; he doesn’t give that kind of approval,” added Kraft.

This sentiment echoes comments made by Brady’s father, Tom Brady Sr., in a January interview with the Boston Globe. “Bill is tough. He runs a military system. It’s a different generation,” noted Brady Sr.

Tom Brady says the reason he left the #Patriots was because his relationship with HC Bill Belichick went sour, he told @TheAthleticNFL

“Me and coach Belichick, we did what we loved and competed for 20 years together. But I wasn’t going to sign another contract (in New England)… pic.twitter.com/0Y3Kjo3Jsy

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) February 14, 2024

As the year 2024 unfolds, Tom Brady is set to transition to the broadcast booth with FOX, while Bill Belichick remains without a coaching job after parting ways with the Patriots following just one playoff game since Brady’s departure from Foxborough.

Reflecting on Belichick’s job status, Brady expressed surprise on his “Let’s Go!” podcast during the playoffs, stating, “I’m not one to hire coaches, but it’s shocking that the greatest coach ever doesn’t have a job. Absolutely. But I’m surprised at a lot of things in the NFL. I was surprised when I was a free agent, and there were many teams that didn’t pursue me.”

Brady, at the age of 43, didn’t have numerous teams vying for his services when he left New England. While the Los Angeles Chargers were considered finalists alongside the Buccaneers, other potential suitors, like his hometown San Francisco 49ers, did not extend offers.

 

 

 

Matthew Judon Supports Patriots’ Top Draft Pick Preference
Could Jayden Daniels become a Patriot?

Seeking a rebound from a disappointing season, the New England Patriots hold the valuable No. 3 overall draft pick, a promising starting point for their journey back to success.

In a conversation with NBC Sports Boston’s Tom E. Curran during Super Bowl week, impending free agent Kendrick Bourne suggested that the Patriots’ optimal choice for the No. 3 pick would be LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels. Echoing this sentiment, edge rusher Matthew Judon, another influential voice in the Patriots’ camp, expressed agreement with the idea.

While speaking on the “4th and 1” show with former Patriots quarterback Cam Newton, Judon conveyed his preference, stating, “I’d say the best available, but I’d go Jayden. If he’s there, I’d take him. He won the Heisman Trophy. You can see the arm talent. You can see the leg talent. You have to have a mobile quarterback in today’s game when stuff breaks down and for him to get out of sticky situations.”

Judon, who had previously urged the New England offense to enhance their scoring capabilities and sustain drives, sees the addition of Daniels under the guidance of new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt as a step towards transforming the Patriots into an explosive unit.

If the Patriots manage to secure Daniels in the draft, the potential for improvement increases, particularly with Judon’s return from a season-ending bicep injury last year.

As the NFL Draft commences on April 25 in Detroit, the Patriots face a significant decision that could shape their future significantly.