Tom Brady, Patriots react to Bill Belichick’s departure in New England
"I’m incredibly grateful to have played for the best coach in the history of the NFL."
After 24 legendary seasons in Foxborough, Bill Belichick received multiple tributes on Thursday shortly after news broke that his legendary run with the Patriots is reportedly coming to an end.
Whether it be shared on social media, radio broadcasts, or TV, Belichick received plenty of praise from many of the players who helped him orchestrate a two-decade dynasty in the NFL.
Here’s a look at some of the reactions across league circles to Belichick’s departure from the Patriots.
This story will be updated throughout the day.
Tom Brady, former Patriots quarterback
Tom Brady — one of the other architects of New England’s two-decade dynasty — took to Instagram Thursday afternoon to honor his longtime coach.
“I’m incredibly grateful to have played for the best coach in the history of the NFL.
He was a great leader for the organization, and for all of the players who played for him. We accomplished some amazing things over a long period of time, many of which will be hard to replicate. he worked every day to help us achieve the ultimate goal, in the ultimate team sport. And, although we were successful, some of the greatest lessons I learned were in the moments where we faced the most challenging adversities.
He set the tone for the organization to never falter in the face of adversity, and to do what we could do, and what was in our control, which was to go out and DO OUR JOB.
“I could never have been the player I was without you Coach Belichick. I am forever grateful. And I wish you the best of luck in whatever you choose next.”
Richard Seymour, former Patriots defensive end
Julian Edelman, former Patriots wide receiver
Rob Gronkowski, former Patriots tight end
Patrick Chung, former Patriots safety
Mac Jones, Patriots QB
Jones took to Instagram on Thursday evening, sharing a few photos of himself with Belichick before offering up some words of support for his former head coach.
“Coach Belichick has made such a big impact on my life,” Jones wrote. “I grew up dreaming of playing in the NFL and that dream grew even stronger after I watched Coach Belichick and the Patriots win the Super Bowl in my hometown. My dream to play in the NFL came true when I was drafted to the Patriots organization and I am grateful to have played for and learned from such a legendary coach.
“Coach Belichick has impacted me and so many other players in immeasurable ways. I wish Coach Belichick and his family continued success in the future. #ForeverNE”
Ty Law, former Patriots cornerback
Speaking on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Show” Thursday morning, Ty Law explained what playing for Belichick meant to him.
“He meant everything,” Law said. “One, he always held me accountable. That’s one thing about Coach Belichick, he’s always gonna put it to you straight. He wasn’t trying to have a buddy-buddy type of relationship. You had to earn those extra minutes or that extra time as far as him giving you the attention that you might want or need. He’s gonna do that hard-nosed coaching. I always appreciated that.
“I was fortunate to be able to have him early in my career as my position coach, so I got to be with him on an everyday basis, and I was able to see the transition from being a DB coach, a position coach, to a head coach. I was a little shocked, because I was like, ‘Damn Bill, you’ve changed.’ But I had to understand as a young player that he’s a head coach now, not just our coach and not just in our defensive back meeting room.
“What he taught me was how to look at the game and study the game and anticipate things before they happen. I was one of those guys where I tried to cover every route, every time, no matter what. And I was exhausted after games. Bill, he helped me slow down the game by studying. I was never a film guy before Bill Belichick. I felt like I was better than you, and that was just my ego or whatever it was. Like, I ain’t gotta worry about you, you gotta worry about me. But the game changed for me through his coaching and him sitting me down 1-on-1 and telling me, ‘This formation, anticipate this.’”
Jamie Collins, former Patriots linebacker
Rex Burkhead, former Patriots running back
Davon Godchaux, Patriots defensive lineman
James White, former Patriots running back
Christian Fauria, former Patriots tight end
Former Patriots tight end and current WEEI radio host Christian Fauria recalled his favorite memory playing for Belichick on Thursday morning.
“I don’t even know what Super Bowl it was. I think it was Super Bowl XXXVIII against the Carolina Panthers and that whole week before we played them, the Panthers were talking a lot of smack and just being real chirpy. And Bill kept telling us to just not to say anything, even though we want it to. He kept saying it, they kept talking, they kept talking.
“And for the record like pregame speeches in the pros are worthless. They don’t mean anything. Because we’re all men, we’re grown up. In college — it’s different. So I had never seen a pregame speech of the pros that was worth anything that made the hair stand up on the back of my neck.
“Before we took the field against the Carolina Panthers. Bill basically said like, ‘Release the hounds.’ He was like, and I’m paraphrasing again. He’s like, ‘Hey, listen, I’ve been holding you down, holding you back. I didn’t want you to say anything. And this is where we do our talking.’ We ran out — I have never seen a group of grown-ass man run out of the building so fast to look for a fight.
“And if you remember back to that game, there was almost a fight at midfield. Both teams came out. I got a lot of great memories, but that was always what everybody asked me — that one stands out the most because Bill was always so reserved and so calculated. That’s the first time I really saw him like really angry about a situation and allowing us willingly to go do something about it.”
“I have never seen a group of [grown men] run out of a building so fast looking for a fight”
— NBC Sports Boston’s Patriots Coverage (@NBCSPatriots) January 11, 2024
Christian Fauria share his favorite memory of being coached by Bill Belichick 😅 pic.twitter.com/u0jLh9e9uA
Damien Woody, former Patriots guard
Speaking on ESPN’s “Get Up”, former Patriots guard Damien Woody told a story about how Belichick helped him early in his career.
“It gets a little emotional for me because for me, early on in my career with Bill — like I had a weight problem. I had a weight problem. Like, I knew I was extremely talented. I remember Bill came to me, man, in the offseason, my third year.
And Bill had this whole program set up for me down in North Carolina. And like checked in with me every week at this program for like, two months, because he knew like, ‘Dude, you a talented guy, but you’re wasting your talent, because you’re not handling your business.’ But he was willing to work with me. Everyone that talks about Bill, like thinks he’s so rigid, there’s a whole other side to Bill.
“Like this dude, behind the scenes, that man was personable, trying to help me through something that was like anchoring my career. And when I went through that moment, I literally had the best year. I had the best year of my career after that. So like, when Tedy talks about the talent and that analogy, it literally rings true because I’m here, I can speak on it. I know what this man has done for me in my career. And that laid the foundation for the rest of my career, man.”
Matt Cassel, former Patriots quarterback
Matt Cassel, who played for New England from 2005-2008, lauded Belichick via video Thursday morning.
“I just feel very lucky, and fortunate, that I had the opportunity to play for him for four years in New England,” Cassel said. “I learned more football during that tenure than I had throughout my entire career.”
Jason McCourty, former Patriots cornerback
Kendrick Bourne, Patriots wide receiver
Benjamin Watson, former Patriots tight end
Matt Chatham, former Patriots linebacker
Tim Tebow, former Patriots quarterback
LeGarrette Blount, former Patriots running back
Christian Barmore, Patriots defensive tackle
Scott Zolak, former Patriots quarterback
Mack Wilson Jr., Patriots linebacker
Jonas Gray, former Patriots running back
Andre Carter, former Patriots defensive end
Calvin Anderson, Patriots offensive tackle
Daniel Ekuale, Patriots defensive tackle
Keion White, Patriots defensive end
Ross Douglas, former Patriots assistant wide receivers coach
Bob Socci, Patriots radio announcer
LeBron James
Even sports figures outside of the Patriots paid tribute to Belichick on Thursday, headlined by Lakers star LeBron James.
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