Belichick Acknowledges Brady's Smart Move to Leave Patriots in 2020
The 2020 NFL offseason marked a pivotal moment in football history, highlighted by Tom Brady's departure from the New England Patriots to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After two decades of unprecedented success, including nine AFC Championships and six Super Bowl victories, the split sparked intense debate about the roles of Brady and Bill Belichick in the Patriots' dynasty. Recently, Belichick confirmed on Fox News Media's "Hang Out with Sean Hannity" that Brady's decision to leave was indeed the right one. He emphasized that the Patriots were struggling in 2020, stating, "We didn't have a good team in 2020. We had all those guys that left — Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman. Most of our team was gone." Belichick expressed happiness for Brady's success in Tampa, where he led the Buccaneers to an impressive 11-5 record, throwing for 4,633 yards and 40 touchdowns. Brady's postseason performance culminated in a victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV, earning him his seventh championship title. In contrast, the Patriots struggled without Brady, finishing 7-9 in 2020 under former MVP Cam Newton. Belichick acknowledged that the team had invested everything into the 2019 season, which ended prematurely in the wild-card round. The Patriots have since faced declining seasons, including a 4-13 record in 2023, leading to a mutual parting of ways between Belichick and the franchise. Despite the separation, both Belichick and Brady maintain a mutual respect for each other. Belichick reflected on their relationship, stating, "I learned so much from Tom... Together, I think we both learned a lot from each other." As both legends prepare for eventual induction into the Hall of Fame, their legacy continues to evolve, marking an era of football that will be remembered for generations.
Source: CBS Sports - 2026-05-20