Tom Brady’s Departure From Patriots Had Surprising Reaction From Teammates
For the first time in the last two decades, the New England Patriots will push forward without Tom Brady. The star quarterback has continued his illustrious career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason. It was a move that had the telling signs of a departure for months ahead of free agency. It led many Patriots players to grow comfortable with the situation because of a particular reason.
Tom Brady’s departure from the Patriots
For quite some time, the writing had been on the wall that Tom Brady would likely depart from the Patriots.
The rumblings stemmed from the offseason before the 2019 campaign as there were talks of his disgruntlement due to his contract situation. The chatter remained a constant through the season, with Brady only further fueling the uncertainty as he voiced no clarity concerning his future with the franchise.
It all led to the six-time Super Bowl champion to inform team owner Robert Kraft that he was leaving in free agency after two decades with the organization. Brady left behind an irreplaceable imprint that will continue to be felt for many years down the line.
However, it’s a move that the ear markings of massive change occurring this offseason. It saw many Patriots players become at peace with the situation for a particular reason.
Why the Patriots were at peace with the move
The vibe around the Patriots during the 2019 season was quite different than in years past.
All that centered on Tom Brady’s contract situation as he reworked his deal the previous offseason. It included a clause allowing him to test the free-agent market. That detail alone created the sense that Brady could, for the first time in his career, realistically entertain the idea of leaving New England.
It all came to fruition last March, in a move that Boston Sports Journal’s Greg Bedard stated in a recent column that Patriots players were at peace with because of the need for a vibe change in the locker room. Bedard noted that Brady’s growing unpleasant mood began to wear on his teammates.
The 43-year-old had been sending visual signs of his dismay behind the scenes that only further hammered home that he could depart. Ultimately, it was a situation that ran its course in New England but featured much success with six Super Bowl wins in nine appearances over two decades. It’s was a tenure that will be quite hard to match that level of prosperity in any sport.
Both needed a fresh start for the 2020 season, and each got it with ventures in a new refreshing direction.
New direction in New England
The Patriots have gone through a massive change with arguably the best player in NFL history departing.
It has changed the entire direction of the franchise with a new face leading the charge at quarterback. Cam Newton has an opportunity to not only recapture his stardom in the league but become the centerpiece in New England for many years to come.
Newton is a vastly different quarterback than Brady, which will require an enormous offensive game plan adjustment. Nonetheless, it puts the team in a refreshing new course with the opportunity to embark on another successful chapter in franchise history. Meanwhile, Brady can add to his legacy with the Buccaneers, who have become a Super Bowl favorite ahead of the 2020 season.
It all sets up what should be a highly intriguing campaign that will see a much different Patriots team pushing forward.
