Tom Brady hints at Bill Belichick being primary reason for controversial Patriots exit: “Wasn’t going to sign up for more of it”
Even the most successful relationships come to an end at some point. After two decades and six championships together, Tom Brady and Bill Belichick parted ways. Now neither is even technically in the league.
As to what drove this split, several things likely contributed. However, in the new Apple TV documentary about the Patriots dynasty, Brady said something very interesting.
As per the Athletic's Chad Graff, Brady intimated that a deteriorating relationship with his head coach was partly responsible for his eventual exit:
“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) even if I wanted to play until (I was) 50. Based on how things had gone, I wasn’t going to sign up for more of it.”
Why Tom Brady might have left Bill Belichick
Everyone saw what happened to the New England Patriots after Tom Brady left. Many assumed it was as simple as the loss of the QB and he was the reason for their dynasty, but it's not as simple as that.
The roster was bad, and it has remained bad since he left. Brady jumped ship, while Bill Belichick went down with it.
Brady wasn't offered the two-year, $50 million contract he had wanted. He would likely have stayed if he had, according to the reporting of the time.
Belichick is not an easy person to play for, and their relationship may have eventually soured once Super Bowl success wasn't readily available.
It is also worth noting that Brady has often gone to bat for Belichick since he left, even going so far as to say he's shocked that the head coach didn't get a new job this cycle.