In a forthcoming documentary about the New England Patriots, legendary quarterback Tom Brady delves into his decision to leave the franchise after 20 seasons. The 10-part series, titled The Dynasty: New England Patriots, is set to premiere on Apple TV+ this Friday.
According to reports from The Athletic, Brady, along with several former Patriots players, sheds light on the challenging conditions they faced under former head coach Bill Belichick, which ultimately played a role in Brady's departure. In the documentary, Brady states, '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.'
Throughout the series, other former players also share their grievances about playing under Belichick, who recently left the Patriots and has yet to be hired by a new team. Matthew Slater, a former Patriots wide receiver, describes the experience as 'brutal.' Rob Gronkowski, former Patriots tight end, reveals that he often sat in his car outside the team's practice facility, reluctant to go in for practice. Wes Welker, another former Patriots wide receiver, likens Brady's treatment by the team to that of an abused animal.
The Athletic describes the documentary as 'the most comprehensive view yet' of the deteriorating relationship between Belichick and his former players, especially Brady, toward the end of his tenure with the team.
Reports suggest that Brady had sought a two-year contract worth $50 million after the 2019-2020 season, but the Patriots were not willing to offer such terms. Consequently, Brady became a free agent and joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the exact price he desired in March 2020.
In his first season with the Buccaneers, Brady quickly claimed his seventh overall Super Bowl title, reigniting debates among sports pundits over whether Brady, Belichick, or both should receive the majority of credit for the Patriots' dynasty.
When Belichick departed from the Patriots last month, Brady expressed his gratitude for their time together, stating that Belichick was 'the best coach in the history of the NFL' in a tribute post on Instagram. He acknowledged that he wouldn't have become the player he was without Belichick's guidance and coaching.
Brady retired from the NFL in February, expressing his gratitude to fans, teammates, coaches, and his family for enabling him to live out his dreams. He affirmed that he wouldn't change a thing about his career.
The upcoming documentary promises to provide further insight into the dynamics of the Patriots' dynasty, shedding light on the challenges faced by Brady and other former players under Belichick's leadership. With interviews and personal accounts, it aims to offer a comprehensive perspective on the circumstances that led to Brady's departure from the New England Patriots and his subsequent success with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
