New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has stayed out of the public eye, even with dramatic media coverage of his impending free agency decision. But to a degree, he broke his silence this week.
As transcribed by ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Charlie Weis relayed information from Brady on Sirius XM NFL Radio’s “Opening Drive,” a show which Weis hosts.
“I do have one bit of scoop for us. I’ve been texting with Tommy,” said Weis, who served as Brady’s offensive coordinator in New England. “I don’t [usually] pass along these conversations, but one thing he told me — ‘Nobody knows anything. So anyone who is telling you they know, they don’t know.’ I’m not going through any other part of the conversation [but] I followed up and he said, ‘Clean it up.’ So I’m cleaning it up.”
Brady is an impending free agent and can begin negotiations with other NFL teams on March 16, with the ability to sign elsewhere on March 18. Brady’s contract prevents the Patriots from placing the franchise on him, so if New England fails to provide a respectable offer, the quarterback can explore free agency for the first time in his career.
The media has yo-yoed expectations about Brady’s situation.
ESPN’s Jeff Darlington has said he would be stunned if Brady returned. ESPN’s Reiss thinks Brady’s return is 80% likely. Meanwhile, Brady and Bill Belichick had a conversation last week, which didn’t go well, according to the Boston Herald. But of course, ESPN reported that meeting was just business as usual.
This madness seems to harken back to Brady’s suggestion: No one knows anything. Why? Because the Patriots have yet to put an offer on the table for Brady to review. Supposedly, New England is delaying the negotiations while the NFL and NFLPA finalize a new collective bargaining agreement. Until that situation settles, Brady’s contract talks with the Patriots will stay on hold.
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