Getty Tom Brady admits why he left New England in a recent documentary.
After Tom Brady‘s time with the New England Patriots ended with a pick-six thud in January 2020, he knew it was time for something new. He ultimately chose the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in March 2020.
Brady detailed history during the “The Dynasty” documentary series — set to air on Friday via Apple TV+ online. The series explores the Patriots six-Super Bowl winning dynasty, which Brady and Bill Belichick, the Patriots head coach at the time, guided for two decades.
“Me and coach Belichick, we did what we loved and competed for 20 years together. But I wasn’t going to sign another contract [in New England] even if I wanted to play until [I was] 50. Based on how things had gone, I wasn’t going to sign up for more of it,” Brady said in the movie according to Chad Graff’ of The Athletic.
Brady’s final year with the Patriots didn’t go as planned in 2019 as an 8-0 start flamed out, and the team lost in the Wild Card round against the Tennessee Titans. He left for Tampa for the team’s strength in the trenches and talented receivers in Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, and Brady coaxed tight end Rob Gronkowski out of retirement.
Tom Brady Launched Buccaneers Into New Era
Three years ago today…
Tom Brady threw the Lombardi Trophy 😅
Amid Brady’s arrival, he also lured Gronkowski out of retirement and talked the Buccaneers into signing star wide receiver Antonio Brown, who had a 1-game stint with the Patriots in 2019. Brady flipped the script of his final season in New England with a big performance in 2020 with the Buccaneers en route to a Super Bowl win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
His play only improved in 2021 despite turning 44 amid 5,316 yards passing and 43 touchdowns. Despite the success, Brady fell short of an eighth Super Bowl win though as the Los Angeles Rams stunned the Buccaneers in the Divisional Round.
After a brief retirement, Brady came back in 2022 and led the Buccaneers to an NFC South title despite Gronkowski’s retirement and growing pains under new head coach Todd Bowles. Brady only threw for 4,694 yards and 25 touchdowns amid an 8-9 record, and he retired after that season.
Despite Brady’s retirement, the Buccaneers won another NFC South title in 2023 and reached the Divisional Round with Baker Mayfield under center. Expectations remain high in Tampa Bay since Brady’s short tenure there.
Tom Brady & Bill Belichick in Much Different Places in 2024
FOX has Brady broadcasting games this fall, and Belichick won’t be on the sideline of any of them. Belichick left the Patriots this offseason and won’t coach this year.
“I’m not one to hire, you know, I don’t know the criteria for hiring these guys, for hiring coaches,” Brady said during his “Let’s Go!” podcast during the playoffs. “I have never been a part of it. I mean, I’m surprised that the greatest coach ever doesn’t have a job. Absolutely. But I’m surprised at a lot of things in the NFL. I’m surprised when I was a free agent there was a lot of teams that didn’t want me.”
Brady can relate to Belichick’s plight. At age 43, only the Los Angeles Chargers had serious consideration for Brady besides the Buccaneers.