Even in divorce, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady will forever be inextricably intertwined.
A year ago, Hall of Fame legacies built on unprecedented success together were comparatively dissected as they went their separate ways.
Every step Brady took in Tampa Bay toward his storybook seventh Super Bowl win with the Bucs was juxtaposed to Belichick’s struggles to field a respectable roster in New England as the Patriots stumbled through the losing season.
Like it or not, at least for the foreseeable future, a part of football in Patriot Nation will always remain about Belichick vs.
Brady.
Heck, the picking of sides started years ago as a talk radio, fan-driven question even when the duo was still dominating together: Who’s more important to the Patriots Dynasty, Belichick or Brady?
Some believe Brady’s latest Lombardi triumph answered that question as the GOAT taught his talented Tampa mates how to win, guiding a squad loaded with playmakers on both sides of the ball to the history books.
Even this offseason has had a Belichick vs. Brady vibe to it.
Neither guy technically has the GM title for their respective teams. But we all know that Belichick has always made and always will make the football decisions in Foxborough, while Brady seems to similarly get whatever he wants as the de facto boss of the Bucs.
So it was the Belichick went out and spent like he’s never spent before with Robert Kraft’s checkbook, inking contracts with Grade A free agents on both sides of the ball to the tune of more than $130 million in guarantees to reboot a roster that had so many holes it appropriately played most of its games on Sundays.
While Belichick was overhauling his squad by taking advantage of New England’s $60-plus million in salary cap space and an open market depressed by COVID financials, Brady was extending his contract in Tampa Bay in part to in create cap flexibility with an eye on, in his own Insta-famous words, “keeping the band together” for the defending champions.
Belichick went out and added the likes of Jonnu Smith, Matthew Judon and Hunter Henry while Brady’s Bucs retained Chris Godwin, Shaq Barrett and Lavonte David.
The two most active teams in 2021 NFL free agency? Belichick’s Patriots and Brady’s Bucs.
Of course.
And while both teams are obviously building rosters with high hopes of next January and February in mind, they also just so happen to be on a collision course.
When the NFL announces its 2021 schedule next month, one of its more hype-worthy, appealing contests will be Brady leading his champion Bucs to Gillette Stadium.
As Rocky once said famously said to Apollo Creed, “Ding, ding.”
Did Belichick approach this offseason in an “uncharacteristically aggressive” manner in response to Brady’s instant success in his move to the Sunshine State?
Maybe. Maybe not.
Who cares?
The Patriots have indeed been rebuilt this offseason.
The energy has been reignited in a Patriot Nation that finished last fall with too long an offseason and too many questions.
Expectations for the 2021 Patriots have suddenly been recalibrated. According to ESPN, teams that have spent like New England in recent NFL free agent history have averaged five more wins the following the season. So, a seven-win team could suddenly be a 12-win squad. Snap!
All in time for Belichick to unleash his new-new look, newly talented and suddenly versatile defense – Judon is joined by the likes of Kyle Van Noy, Jalen Mills, Henry Anderson and Davon Godchaux as well as COVID returnee Dont’a Hightower – on Brady’s talented Tampa bunch.
And while the Patriots may be thinking playoffs again, Brady and Co. are dreaming of an undefeated season and another Super Bowl run.
One that would have to go through Foxborough. Through Belichick’s team. If the coach has anything to say about it, probably even over his cold, dead body.
It’s the on-field matchup we’ve all been waiting for.
It’s been two decades in the making.
It’s pay-per-view worthy.
And after what’s happened over the last week, it’s infinitely more enjoyable to ponder from a Patriots fans’ perspective.
Belichick vs. Brady.
GOAT vs. GOAT.
As TB12 will likely scream as he runs out onto the Gillette Stadium turf for the first time as a visitor, “Let’s Gooooooooo!”
Even months too early, it’s already fun to think about.
So, who ya got?
