William Belichick: “Never Believed” Tom Brady Would Take Off.
Bill Belichick’s inability to call Tom Brady’s bluff may have contributed to the Patriots’ dramatic decline following his departure from New England.
The Patriots could not have replaced the all-time great quarterback in NFL history in Brady. However, New England signed a Cam Newton who was past his peak two months before the 2020 season began since they had no plan at all. Although Belichick’s lack of preparation was extremely unusual, Tom E. Curran of NBC Sports Boston clarified why in a story that was released on Sunday.
Curran stated that Belichick “never truly believed Brady would leave.” “Sources said that Belichick stated the Patriots couldn’t bear a salary cap hit of more than $22.5 million, even when the two men met just days before Brady’s contract expired.”
“He talked to (Brady) like he was still on the team, not like he was about to be a free agent,” a source told Curran.
Brady went on to win his eighth Super Bowl in his first season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, embarrassing Belichick and the Patriots in the process. Although New England made it to the playoffs in 2021 and had a slight comeback, Robert Kraft fired coach Dan Belichick earlier this month due to the team’s dismal performance in the next two seasons.
Given that he is anticipated to return to coaching in the future, Belichick is unlikely to depart the game on such a negative note. That chance, though, might not present itself until the 2025 campaign.
Meanwhile, Brady may have the great coach accompany him in the media for the 2024 season.
Belichick probably won’t leave the game on such a sour note, as he’s expected to coach again in the future. However, that opportunity might not come until the 2025 season would come.
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