The relationship between Tom Brady and Bill Belichick grew so toxic that the legendary quarterback apparently pondered the idea of sitting out the 2019 season entirely.
Reports of friction between Brady and Belichick had surface throughout 2018 and 2019. The two GOATS, however, were able to put the differences aside and lead the Patriots to another Super Bowl 53 championship in the 2018 season.
Brady returned to the Patriots for his 20th season in 2019, though with only one year remaining on his contract. As many expected, Brady indeed chose to leave the Patriots in the 2020 offseason as his relationship with Belichick worsened.
But according to Brady’s longtime teammate and fellow QB, Brian Hoyer, the three-time league MVP strongly indicated that he was considering sitting out the entire 2019 season altogether.
Speaking on “The Dynastic Post Show” (h/t Justin Leger of NBC Sports Boston), Hoyer stated that the legendary signal-caller approached him and told Hoyer he should prepare himself to possibly play the entire 2019 season:
“I remember one day Tom coming to me and being like, “Hey babe, just be ready to play the whole year.’ And I remember being like, ‘What happened? Did you get hurt? What’s going on?’ And he said, ‘I just want to prepare you,’ and he kind of left it at that.
“I don’t know if you all remember, there was the day in training camp that year where he didn’t practice. I got all the reps because at the time, it was just me and (Jarrett) Stidham. The next day, he had that new contract. And I think at that point, it was more about being able to become a free agent after that year.”
Though the Patriots finished with a stellar 12-4 record in 2019, it was hardly one of Brady’s better statistical seasons. Brady completed 60.8 percent of pass attempts for 4,057 yards, 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
The Patriots were upset by the Tennessee Titans 20-13 in the Wild Card Round, marking just the second time in his career where Brady lost in the opening round of the postseason.
Tom Brady Added To His Legacy In Tampa Bay
Brady signed a two-year deal with the Buccaneers in 2020 free agency worth $50 million. Ultimately, GM Jason Licht and company were willing to pay TB12 what Belichick curiously refused to do.
The Bucs were rewarded with a Super Bowl 55 championship in the first year of the Brady era. He followed that up by leading the club to consecutive NFC South division championships in 2021 and 2022 before retiring for good.
Brady didn’t need Belichick to prove that he was still an elite QB. And his performance in Tampa essentially ended the “who was more valuable” debate in Foxborough.