On Tuesday morning, top NFL quarterback Tom Brady announced that he will not be a New England Patriot next season, ending his 20-year run with the team.
“I want to say thank you for the past twenty years of my life and the daily commitment to winning and creating a winning culture built on great values,” Brady said in a statement posted to Instagram.
“Although my football journey will take place elsewhere, I appreciate everything that we have achieved and am grateful for our incredible TEAM accomplishments,” the quarterback said. “I have been privileged to have had the opportunity to know each and every one of you, and to have the memories we’ve created.”
“I tried to represent us always in the best and most honorable way,” the 42-year-old continued, “and I fought hard with my teammates to help bring victory and triumph even in the most dire situations. You opened your heart to me, and I opened my heart to you. And Pats Nation will always be part of me.”
“I don’t know what my football future holds but it is time for me to open a new stage for my life and career,” Brady wrote. “I thank you from the bottom of my heart and I will always love you and what we have shared – a lifetime full of fun memories.”
The QB specifically named Coach Bill Belichick, owner Robert Kraft, and the Kraft family in the thank you-style post.
According a report published Monday from CBS Boston, Brady’s list of “actual suitors is apparently quite low.”
“I think it is down to this. From everything I’ve heard, it’s down to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New England Patriots,” analyst Chris Simms speculated.
“And I don’t think that the New England Patriots are going to be willing to give Tom Brady $30 million a year type of money,” Simms added. “As we know, Bill Belichick, he drives a hard bargain, he treats it like a business, no matter who it is — even if it’s the GOAT. He’s not going to just give him free money.”
On Tuesday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport highlighted via Twitter: “The [Tampa Bay Buccaneers] made a strong offer to QB Tom Brady believed to be $30M or more. The #Chargers did, as well. And now, he’s leaving New England.”
The #Bucs made a strong offer to QB Tom Brady believed to be $30M or more. The #Chargers did, as well. And now, he’s leaving New England.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 17, 2020
“The Tennessee Titans and Las Vegas Raiders had been rumored as potential Brady suitors before re-signing Ryan Tannehill and agreeing to terms with Marcus Mariota, respectively,” a report from NESN outlined Tuesday noting that “[s]peculation over the San Francisco 49ers’ interest in the QB was squashed Sunday.”
“Brady started 283 games for the New England since replacing Drew Bledsoe early in the 2001 season, missing time only following his torn ACL in 2008 and his four-game Deflategate suspension in 2016,” reported NESN. “He earned 14 Pro Bowl selections, three NFL Most Valuable Player Awards and four Super Bowl MVPs; leads all NFL quarterbacks in career wins; and ranks second all-time behind Drew Brees in both passing yards and passing touchdowns.”