Belichick, Brady exchange compliments
In a rare offseason interview, Patriots coach Bill Belichick joined Tom Brady’s “Let’s Go” podcast to discuss Brady’s recent retirement and their 20-year partnership that in New England that founded the greatest dynasty in NFL history.
Belichick reiterated his stance that Brady is the greatest player ever and again congratulated him on the end of his playing career.
“The greatest player, the greatest career. A great, great person. It was such an opportunity and an honor for me to coach Tom,” Belichick said. “I guess it’s gotta end at some point. But it’s the greatest one ever. Congratulations, Tom.”
Asked about their time in New England, Brady said his personal success would have been impossible were it not for Belichick. Together, they won six Super Bowls and nine AFC Championships. Over that time, both coach and quarterback became widely accepted as the all-time bests at their respective positions.
“For me, there’s nobody I’d rather be associated with,” Brady said of Belichick. “From my standpoint, I think it’s always a stupid conversation to say, ‘Brady versus Belichick’ because, in my mind, that’s not what a partnership is about.”
Asked about their relationship, which according to several reports became severely strained during the 2017 season and helped grease Brady’s exit in March 2020, the former quarterback described it as “amazing.”
“(Belichick)’s not afraid to have a hard conversation,” Brady said. “And we didn’t always agree, but we always respected each other. I know he respected me for the job that I did, and I certainly did the same.”
As for his former quarterback, Belichick said Brady’s top quality was making everyone around him better. He also lauded Brady, 45, for knowing exactly how to utilize his teammates’ strengths and teaching him personally how to see the game through the eyes of a quarterback. In New England, Brady was an 18-time captain, 14-time Pro Bowler and three-time MVP.
Brady announced his second retirement from the NFL on Feb. 1, weeks after his third season with the Buccaneers. Away from New England, Brady made the playoffs in all three seasons and won a Super Bowl. With seven titles, Brady owns more Super Bowl rings than any NFL franchise; as does Belichick, who has eight rings including two he won with the Giants as their defensive coordinator from 1985-1990.
Slater open to coaching
Patriots captain Matthew Slater is currently weighing whether he wants to return for a 16th NFL season.
Slater calls it one of the most difficult decisions of his life. But if the 37-yearold opts not to play next season, he could have an excellent Plan B: coaching.
During an appearance on Tim Hatch Live with Pastor Tim Hatch, Slater said he would welcome an opportunity to join Belichick’s staff.
“I will always consider myself a New England Patriot,” Slater said. “So if I can serve in the role of a coach, administrator on the staff, that’s something that I would welcome with open arms. We’ll see. There’s always change in football, so we’ll see what plays out. But I think the Lord has given me so much and taught me so much, it’d be a shame for it just to end with me. I’d love to be able to continue to pass those things along to the next generation.”
Slater has made 10 Pro Bowls over his legendary career, which some consider to be worth of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Slater would be the first special teams player who did not kick or punt to make the Hall. He will turn 38 this September.