No one outside of football spent more time with Tom Brady over the last several years than Josh McDaniels, his quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator.
McDaniels was the Patriots' quarterbacks coach in 2004, offensive coordinator from 2005-08 and then after coming back for a second stint with the team following coaching in Denver has been the quarterbacks coach/offensive coordinator since 2012.
Tuesday night, McDaniels released a statement through the Patriots on Brady.
"I have so much gratitude for Tom Brady," it reads. "He has made me a better coach and more importantly a better person. He has always been genuinely kind and caring to me and my family. Yet at the same time, I have never met anyone as demanding and relentless in his pursuit of improvement, perfection and championships. His work ethic and drive propelled our offense and our team to perform at the very highest level throughout his career. He represented all of us with class and integrity. We will miss his passion and intensity, his character and wisdom, and his preparation and diligence. I will miss all the meetings, FaceTimes, emails and texts in our pursuit of a good play. He always performed his best in the most critical times under the most significant pressure. I have never coached a tougher player in my career.
"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. 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.' 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."
McDaniels will now be tasked with leading a New England offense without Brady under center and likely second-year player Jarrett Stidham or a low-priced veteran.
