After a few years of nonstop conjecture about the state of Tom Brady’s relationship with Bill Belichick, it appears we’ve now arrived at the point where all the drama gets left in the past.
Brady’s departure from New England in 2020 left the door open for incessant speculation about the legendary quarterback’s feelings on his longtime team and coach. But now fully retired, Brady made his return to Gillette Stadium on Sunday to, unsurprisingly, much fanfare.
A halftime ceremony during the loss to the Eagles made it seem as though Brady never left, with the waiving of his waiting period to get into the Patriots Hall of Fame an apt welcome back.
Amid all the warm and fuzzy feelings surrounding Brady, Belichick was asked Monday in his weekly appearance on The Greg Hill Show if he had any regrets about how things ended.
"Well, I mean, no, it is a business, and I understand that part of it, but I certainly appreciated the opportunity to coach Tom," Belichick said. "I had a great conversation with him yesterday. It was good to catch up. He just sets the standard for what a great player is, there’s nobody better than him. I was so fortunate to have had the opportunity to draft him, coach him and learn from him.
“I look back on those 20 years with a great deal of fondness and affection for Tom, and what he did for me and for our football team.”