New England Patriots

Morning sports update: Josh McDaniels is ‘grateful for the years’ with Tom Brady despite ‘great sadness’

"There will never be another Tom Brady."

Tom Brady and Josh McDaniels in Dec. 2019. Jim Davis/Globe Staff

Tom Brady is expected to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after 20 years in New England. The 42-year-old let Patriots fans know he was leaving on Tuesday morning, and reports emerged hours later that he will sign with the Buccaneers.

Tampa fans were instantly energized. At one point, more than 6,000 fans were waiting in a digital line to get tickets for the 2020 season.

The Patriots, meanwhile, did make a few reported transactions of their own, including an agreement with wide receiver Damiere Byrd, and re-signing linebacker Keionta Davis.

Yet the question remains: Who will be the Patriots’ new starting quarterback?

Josh McDaniels released a statement on Tom Brady: Like Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick, the Patriots’ offensive coordinator put out a statement after Brady announced his New England departure.

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“Although I feel a great sadness knowing that he is leaving the Patriots, I am grateful for the years we were together and beyond blessed to call him my friend,” McDaniels wrote of Brady. “He has made an indelible impact on my life and career and I will forever be in his debt.”

“He defined what it means to be a ‘Patriot,'” McDaniels concluded. “He is the best quarterback to ever play in the NFL. I wish him nothing but great happiness and success in all that he does. There will never be another Tom Brady.”

Trivia: Who was the Bucs’ starting quarterback the last time they made the playoffs?

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(Answer at the bottom).

Hint: He was the MVP of the 86th Grey Cup in 1998.

More from Boston.com:

Brad Marchand’s message to fans

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Pedro Martinez says “the book is not finished” on Tom Brady:

On this day: Braves move to Milwaukee

Classic rewind: Enjoy Dennis Johnson’s buzzer-beater to win Game 4 of the 1985 NBA Finals against the Lakers.

Trivia answer: Jeff Garcia

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