Brady announced his decision to leave the Patriots on social media early this morningGETTY IMAGES
Tom Brady removed any doubt about his future with the Patriots this morning, saying that he is leaving the team and his career "will continue elsewhere," according to Maske & Boren of the WASHINGTON POST. Patriots Owner Robert Kraft said that he met last night with Brady at the former's home. Kraft: "I was hoping we could do a deal. He came over. We had an amiable, loving conversation. He told me that he wanted to move on. I had given him that freedom. He earned that over 20 years and all that he has done. I figured he deserved that.” Kraft added that he "did not believe that Brady’s decision to leave the Patriots was made on financial considerations." He said, “It makes me sad. But he’s earned the right to do what he wants. It’s not what I hoped for" (WASHINGTON POST, 3/17). NFL Network's Kimberly Jones said, "What I find most compelling in this very moment is that the Patriots have really drawn a line in the sand -- a very respectful, loving line -- but a line in that sand -- 'Tom wanted to leave us.' Now, no matter what happens, Tom left the Patriots" ("NFL Free Agency Frenzy," NFL Network, 3/17).
UPS & DOWNS: In Boston, Ben Volin writes Brady and Patriots coach Bill Belichick "took a woebegone franchise that had never won a championship to unprecedented heights," as the Patriots were the "most successful NFL organization" in the '00s and '10s. But under Belichick, the Patriots also have been "known as a team that trades away star players before they hit their decline." In January '18, team President Jonathan Kraft said that Brady "would have say in when his Patriots career ended." But Volin notes there were "cracks in the relationship the last few years, even as Brady and the Patriots continued to win," and those cracks "deepened in recent years." Brady was "upset that Robert Kraft didn’t fight harder on his behalf during the 'Deflategate' controversy that resulted in a four-game suspension for Brady" in '16. He also was "upset that the Patriots played hardball with him on his contract the last few years" (BOSTON GLOBE, 3/17). USA TODAY's Mike Jones notes the Patriots have "made a habit of cutting ties with a player just before it’s too late ... anticipating the drop-off a year before it comes." Jones: "Now, it’s Brady pulling the plug before things get ugly in New England" (USA TODAY, 3/17).
REASONS WHY: ESPN's Adam Schefter said, "I don't think this is a football decision only. ... There are people that just want a new challenge, want to do something different. I think that's where he's been at." ESPN's Damien Woody added, "Family considerations ... (and) aspirations beyond just football, the TB12 brand" ("Get Up," ESPN, 3/17). NFL Network's Michael Irvin noted Brady just launched his 199 Productions house in L.A. and speculated, "Being in L.A., next to that as he gets ready to enter the next phase, like LeBron is doing out in L.A., that sounds really pliable and probably smart" ("First Take," ESPN, 3/17).
