Brady denies being happy about Garoppolo trade

There was no celebrating backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo being traded by the New England Patriots in October, Tom Brady said this week.

Brady denied he was “excited, hollering and cajoling” at the team facility when he learned New England shipped his heir apparent out of town in a trade with the San Francisco 49ers, which is contrary to a report published by ESPN.

“I think that’s just such a poor characterization of anything. In 18 years, I’ve never celebrated when someone has been traded, been cut,” said Brady on Tuesday on WEEI radio in Boston. “I would say that’s disappointing to hear that someone would express that, because it’s so far from what my beliefs are about my teammates. I know those situations aren’t easy.”

Brady, 40, was allegedly at the nexus of a rift involving coach Bill Belichick, owner Robert Kraft and the Patriots’ 17-year starting quarterback. As outlined by ESPN, Kraft demanded a trade of Garoppolo to appease Brady. Belichick obliged, receiving only a second-round pick from the 49ers in return. Garoppolo, 26, went 5-0 as San Francisco’s starter and is entering free agency in March.

The Patriots host the Tennessee Titans this weekend in an AFC Divisional Round playoff game.

In other NFL news, Jon Gruden made his return to the Raiders official, announcing at a news conference in Oakland, “I’m all in.”

Gruden coached the Raiders to a 38-26 record from 19982001. He spent the next seven seasons coaching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 57-55 record and a Super Bowl title after the 2002 season.