ESPN report details growing tension among Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and Robert Kraft
A rift has developed among the three most powerful figures in the Patriots organization – quarterback Tom Brady, coach Bill Belichick, and owner Robert Kraft – that threatens to make this the final season they are together, according to an ESPN report published Friday.
Among the claims in the report is that Belichick was ordered to trade backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo in deference to Brady’s desire to continue playing well into his 40s. Garoppolo was traded to the 49ers in October for a second-round draft pick, and the report says Belichick was “furious and demoralized’’ over the issue and he reached out to 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan via text message to initiate talks.
According to the report, which ESPN says was produced from “interviews with more than a dozen New England staffers, executives, players, and league sources with knowledge of the team’s inner workings,’’ Belichick believed “Garoppolo would excel under Shanahan.’’
The report also says that amid the team’s incredible success, Brady, Belichick, and Kraft have had “serious disagreements’’ over the coach’s exacting standards, the team’s long-term plans for quarterback, and Brady’s business partner and “body coach’’ Alex Guerrero.
The Patriots issued what they called “a joint statement’’ from Brady, Kraft, and Belichick.
“For the past 18 years, the three of us have enjoyed a very good and productive working relationship. In recent days, there have been multiple media reports that have speculated theories that are unsubstantiated, highly exaggerated, or flat out inaccurate. The three of us share a common goal. We look forward to the enormous challenge of competing in the postseason and the opportunity to work together in the future, just as we have for the past 18 years. It is unfortunate that there is even a need for us to respond to these fallacies. As our actions have shown, we stand united,’’ the statement read.
In December, the Globe reported Belichick had curbed Guerrero’s privileges,which previously included sideline access, the ability to treat players other than Brady at his Gillette Stadium office, and travel on team flights.
The report notes the Patriots responded to ESPN’s inquiry with a statement saying there were “several inaccuracies and multiple examples given that absolutely did not occur,’’ but declined to offer specifics.
Patriots personnel had qualms about Brady and Guerrero’s TB12 fitness philosophy, according to ESPN, and the book they released last year espousing it, “The TB12 Method.’’
One Patriots staffer told ESPN reporter Seth Wickersham that some in Gillette Stadium felt the method was “like a cult,’’ according to the report. Some within the Patriots organization reportedly felt that Brady’s personality had changed, and they were suspicious of Guerrero.
Brady’s allegiance to Guererro reportedly created tension between the quarterback’s guru and the team’s own doctors, with new players believing the best way to get into Brady’s good graces was to seek Guerrero’s guidance rather than going to team medical staff — Belichick’s preference. The report also says some new players called Brady “sir’’ and that Brady’s power had grown to the point he was “considered management.’’
The report says Brady “seemed liberated’’ following the Garoppolo trade with the biggest threat to his job removed from the equation.
Other Patriots staffers expressed concern, however, particularly because the Patriots had already traded third-string quarterback Jacoby Brissett in September.
“If we trade Jimmy, we’re the Cleveland Browns, with no succession plan,’’ is what one Patriots employee said, according to ESPN’s story.
ESPN also said a meeting of the three key figures was supposed to happen in late December but didn’t, and that there is now “a lingering sadness around the team.’’
Despite that, the Patriots are the top seed in the AFC playoffs and have this weekend off before facing the Bills, Chiefs, or Titans on Jan. 13. They lost only three games this season and Brady is a contender for the most valuable player award.
“Bill’s done a phenomenal job of holding the building together,’’ a Patriots official told ESPN.
Season Ticket podcast: Subscribe today.
[fragment number=0]
