Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady was eager to look forward to 2020, even with uncertainty in the NFL and the nation amid the coronavirus pandemic. During conference call with the media on Tuesday, he spoke often about how much he is embracing his upcoming work with the Buccaneers’ coaching staff and players.
Brady was also careful about how much he looked back upon his stint with the New England Patriots.
“The transition is very emotional,” Brady said.
The quarterback was asked what it would have taken for the Patriots to keep him in New England.
“I don’t want to talk about the past, because that’s not relevant to my future,” Brady said. “I had nothing but two decades of an incredible experience.”
This was Brady’s first foray into free agency after 20 seasons with the Patriots. He elected to sign a $50-million, two-year pact with the Buccaneers after announcing he would not return to New England. He was asked when he made the decision to leave the Patriots. Brady explained he’d made up his mind when he approached owner Robert Kraft on the evening of March 16.
“I just wanted to express what he’s meant to me in my life, and we spoke with Coach Belichick at the same time,” Brady said. “I leave there with just great admiration for the people and the organization. It’s a world-class, first-class organization in every way.”
Brady and Belichick had spoken about a contract extension prior to the quarterback’s decision, but multiple reports indicated that conversation did not go well. It seemed Brady was awaiting an offer — awaiting any sign of interest from New England. When it didn’t come, according to NBC Sports Boston, Brady decided it was time to move on. Following the meeting between Brady and Kraft, the Patriots owner made phone calls to New England media members to say Brady made the decision for the breakup — that it didn’t come from the Patriots. Brady was asked whether that was true.
“I’m not responsible for how other people will say certain things,” Brady said. “Mr. Kraft has been a great influence on my life for two decades.”
Indeed, the logic doesn’t quite add up that Brady wanted to leave. After all, he gave the Patriots ample time to show they were interested in him staying. Still, Brady took the high road during his press conference by praising his former organization.
“There’s no one who is a bigger fan of the Patriots than me,” Brady told reporters on a conference call on Tuesday. “I have nothing but total respect and love. I’m so grateful to Mr. (Robert) Kraft, the organization and coach (Bill) Belichick.”
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