What Bill Belichick and Tom Brady have together is special. That much has been quite clear. But perhaps their recipe for success comes without ease. In fact, Belichick seems to create unease in Brady’s professional life.
Former New England Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe reflected upon the complicated relationship between Brady and Belichick.
“In terms of their relationship, you work with somebody for 18 or 19 years, it’s not always going to be warm and fuzzy, especially when it’s Belichick who’s not warm and fuzzy to begin with, particularly in a work environment,” Bledsoe said in a preview for a new E:60 special. “Is there some tension? I’m certain that there is. But that stress and tension can drive attention to detail, it can drive work ethic… Belichick’s great at creating that discomfort. And to be honest, I think Tommy thrives on it.”
Our @e60 on @DrewBledsoe premieres Sunday night at 9 Eastern time on ESPN.
Here's Drew–who knows something about both parties–on the Brady/Belichick dynamic: pic.twitter.com/YzJUAS5hpI— Jeremy Schaap (@JeremySchaap) February 4, 2020
There were rumblings that tension could mean the end for the Patriots’ dynasty. Belichick and Brady seemed to be jockeying for power within the organization in 2018, according to an explosive ESPN report at that time. It seems, however, they’ve found a way to put the fun back in dysfunction.
Whatever Belichick is doing with Brady, it has worked for 20 years. They are almost always atop the AFC East and they’ve made the AFC championship in five of the last nine postseasons. And of course, they’ve been to nine Super Bowls with six wins. They comprise the most impressive quarterback-coach tandem in NFL history.
And yet, there is the possibility for that to end in 2019 with Brady set to enter free agency. Will he return to Belichick, tension and all? Or will Brady seek out a different work environment?
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