A series of events led to the inevitable split between quarterback Tom Brady and New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick.
Perhaps the relationship started to turn sour when the Patriots drafted Jimmy Garoppolo in 2014.
Belichick, also the team’s general manager, thought it was time to start moving on from Brady.
But winning heals broken relationships in sports, and winning Super Bowl XLIX that season made things peaceful temporarily.
Media for 20 years: Bill Belichick yells at Tom Brady just like any other player! 👍👍👍
Media now: Bill Belichick YELLED at Tom Brady like he was any other player???? 😲😲😲
— Bruce Allen (@bruceallen) September 24, 2021
The Brady-Belichick partnership won two more titles after to portray a united front.
However, several stories related to Brady’s departure are starting to float to the surface.
There’s the refusal from Belichick and Patriots owner Robert Kraft of Brady’s willingness to play until he is 45 years old.
Likewise, Brady’s long-time trainer and business partner Alex Guerrero mentioned that Belichick never changed how he treated his veteran quarterback.
Tom Brady's personal trainer, Alex Guerrero, said Patriots coach Bill Belichick "never evolved" in how he treated the QB over 20 seasons. pic.twitter.com/xCaAenUHmA
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 23, 2021
As per Guerrero, it’s as if Brady was still in his 20s when Belichick dealt with him.
Then there’s the new Seth Wickersham book that details the Patriots’ inner workings when Brady was still there.
One telling anecdote is the final conversation between Brady and Belichick before the quarterback left for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Brady wanted to talk in the flesh, but Belichick was unavailable and settled for a phone call.
The winningest quarterback-coach tandem in NFL history ended unceremoniously, and both parties have come to terms.
Brady won another Super Bowl with the Buccaneers while Belichick started a new era with rookie quarterback Mac Jones.
A new book claims Tom Brady called Wes Welker shortly after the 49ers' Super Bowl loss and told him he would finish his career with San Francisco, if the Niners wanted to sign him (via @MaioccoNBCS)https://t.co/OTWjKWGmRS pic.twitter.com/4zeYsnNiha
— 49ers on NBCS (@NBCS49ers) September 30, 2021
Their legacy together will be revisited when Brady returns to Gillette Stadium.
It’s hard to ignore that storyline because it spanned two decades of NFL history.
There will be fireworks as the two men compete in-game.
But there must be no more room for animosity between them.
They Made Each Other Better
Brady may have the edge in the debate regarding the more important person to the Patriots’ success.
After all, he’s the first to a Super Bowl after the split.
But it’s a fair argument that Belichick’s competitive drive enabled Brady to become a tougher quarterback.
Belichick’s attention to detail helped Brady read the game better to have the psychological advantage.
THREAD:
Bill Belichick talks about the long snapper position, the history of the punt formation and how it has changed in the NFL, and why teams carry a long snapping specialist instead of having an every-down player do it.
Full video is in this thread pic.twitter.com/tn2tQgAqv2
— Alex Kirby (@AlexJKirby) September 29, 2021
The head coach cannot be bitter with what they accomplished.
Six Super Bowl titles in nine appearances are no fluke.
They made each other winners, and that’s something that no one can dispute.
It’s just that Belichick is hyper-focused on the game, and he’s devoid of any emotion.
From Seth Wickersham’s new book ‘It’s Better To Be Feared pic.twitter.com/p0Huwt8i2z
— Tony Grossi (@TonyGrossi) October 1, 2021
Brady hoped that their relationship would evolve, but it somehow got worse.
Finally, Brady told a confidant back in 2017 that he did not want to play for Belichick anymore.
At that point, both men kept their relationship professional.
There was not much news going out of the Patriots’ camp because they were winning.
In 2021, they share the field again but on opposite sides.
This promo for Brady’s return to New England is too perfect 🤣
pic.twitter.com/vjhN0pxtbO— PFF (@PFF) September 27, 2021
Spectators will be curious if they will share a hug or a post-game small talk.
Even if they don’t, there’s no reason to believe that Belichick and Brady hated each other deeply.
After all, Belichick is still all praise about Brady, especially when the quarterback declared that he might play until age 50.
The time shared in New England and the mutual respect for one another will always link their legacies together.
Deep down, Belichick appreciates Brady and vice versa.
NEXT: Mac Jones Can Make A Monumental Statement Sunday Night