Brady says he’s leaving Patriots
QB’s social media post signals new era in the NFL
The unimaginable has happened to Patriots fans: Tom Brady is moving on.
For two decades, Tom Brady was the face of the Patriots, and even of the NFL. When he turns 43 in August, his home address no longer will be in New England.
The sixtime Super Bowl champion says he is leaving the only pro team he has ever known, posting Tuesday on social media “my football journey will take place elsewhere.”
Statements later by team owner Robert Kraft and coach Bill Belichick made it clear that Brady’s remarkable stint there is over after 20 seasons.
In a twopart message, Brady thanked the Patriots and the fans and said “FOREVER A PATRIOT.”
“I don’t know what my football future holds, but it is time for me to open a new stage for my life and my career,” he wrote. “Although my football journey will take place elsewhere, I appreciate everything that we have achieved and am grateful for our incredible TEAM experiences.”
The oneyear contract Brady signed before last season expires Wednesday afternoon.
Kraft said of Brady: “I had hoped this day would never come, but rather that Tom would end his remarkable career in a Patriots uniform after yet another Super Bowl championship. Unfortunately,
the two sides were unable to reach an agreement to allow that dream to become a reality. While sad today, the overwhelming feeling I have is appreciation for his countless contributions to our team and community.”
A fourtime Super Bowl Most Valuable Player and threetime league MVP, Brady has been the enduring face of the Patriots during a run that added another layer to Boston’s already rich sports history. Only Bill Russell, who won 11 NBA championship rings in the 1950s and ’60s with the Celtics, has won more titles as a member of one of New England’s four major professional sports teams.
Brady would be the oldest starting quarterback in the league at 43 at the beginning of next season. The Buccaneers, Chargers and Dolphins are among the teams expected to be in a Brady derby.
One team not in the market for his services: the 49ers, who said Monday they are not interested in signing the San Mateo native.
“TB12,” as he has been dubbed, a nod to his 2017 book detailing his diet and exercise approach, arguably is coming off his worst noninjury season. He threw for 4,057 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2019, with eight interceptions. But he completed fewer than 56% of his passes six times in the final eight games of the year, including a seasonending loss to Miami that cost the Patriots a firstround playoff bye.
They lost at home to the Titans in the wildcard round, Brady’s earliest postseason exit in a decade — and likely his last game in a Patriots uniform. Rivers to Colts: Philip Rivers. the longtime Chargers quarterback, reportedly has agreed to a oneyear contract with the Indianapolis Colts.
General manager Chris Ballard has now filled two major offseason needs in two days — adding an eighttime Pro Bowl quarterback to the roster less than 24 hours after acquiring Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner in a trade with the 49ers.
What the Colts are getting with the 38yearold Rivers is a 16year veteran, coming off a season in which he had his fewest touchdown passes, 23, since 2007 and his most interceptions, 20, since 2016. It was one reason the Chargers decided not to bring back the franchise’s career passing leader. Brees stays: The New Orleans Saints and recordsetting quarterback Drew Brees reportedly has agreed on a twoyear, $50 million contract.
Brees, 41, missed five games with a throwing hand injury that required surgery but was still productive last season while leading New Orleans to a third straight playoff appearance. He also passed for 27 touchdowns while throwing just four interceptions and was selected to a fourth straight Pro Bowl, the 13th of his career.
Briefly: The Panthers are parting ways with Cam Newton, giving the 31yearold quarterback permission to seek a trade — although the former league MVP responded by saying he never requested one. Carolina appears to have its sights on Brees’ backup last season, Teddy Bridgewater . ... Tight end Jason Witten, formerly of the Cowboys, reportedly agreed to a oneyear contract with the Raiders, who also reportedly agreed on a threeyear contract with Rams free agent linebacker Cory Littleton . ... The Eagles released safety Malcolm Jenkins, who led their secondary for the past six years and helped them to the 2017 Super Bowl title.