If you ask anyone in New England about Tom Brady deciding to leave the Patriots after 20 years and sign with the Buccaneers they'd say it was a little messy.
But, not according to Brady himself.
Speaking to reporters in Tampa on Thursday, the quarterback was asked about Bill Belichick reportedly not meeting him face-to-face when he decided to leave the organization and within his response Brady said the departure was handled "perfectly."
“All those things are super personal," Brady said. "We had a great relationship. I think everything was handled the right way. We handled everything as gracefully as we could. It was an amazing, like I said, time. It was handled perfectly. I think everyone understood where we were at — the people involved in the situation. Things worked out for the best with all of us and we’re all trying to do the best we can do now. That’s what happens in life. You go through these experiences and you don’t know what life is going to lead and I think the only thing I know how to do is give it all I can in every day, moment."
Then Brady did seem to take a shot at Belichick and the Patriots for not believing in him.
"And the people who really bet on me, I want to do really well for them," he continued. "Jason [Licht] and Bruce [Arians], I thank them for coming into my life and saying, ‘Hey, we really want you to be here.’ It’s been an amazing thing for me. I’m just excited to go up there and try and beat a really great football team. That’s ultimately what this week is about.
"It’s not about the quarterbacks, it’s not about the fans, or the home crowd, relationships for 20 years. It’s about two good football teams going at it. We’ve got to do a great job. It’s going to be a huge test. Last week was a huge test and we didn’t quite meet it. This is another huge test. We’ve got to go meet the challenge.”
Kickoff is set for 8:20 p.m. Sunday night.
