New England Patriots: Danny Amendola weighs in on Brady’s future
![FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 21: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, celebrates with teammate Danny Amendola, who is clutching the Lamar Hunt Trophy, following the Patriots' AFC Championship win. The New England Patriots host the Jacksonville Jaguars in an NFL AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA on Jan. 21, 2018. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) FOXBOROUGH, MA - JANUARY 21: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, celebrates with teammate Danny Amendola, who is clutching the Lamar Hunt Trophy, following the Patriots' AFC Championship win. The New England Patriots host the Jacksonville Jaguars in an NFL AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA on Jan. 21, 2018. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/2a738321e9f6c6ba7a26c61146d81f2a86af3d5fcb4bdeb2249f0e7e78440aba.jpg)
Danny Amendola is one of the most recent former teammates to weigh in their thoughts on the future of Tom Brady and the New England Patriots.
Despite not being on the team anymore, former New England Patriots wide receiver Danny Amendola weighed in his thoughts on Tom Brady’s future with the team as the six-time Super Bowl champion is approaching his first experience in free agency.
Danny Amendola was the original slot receiver replacement for Wes Welker. Amendola went on to spend five seasons playing with the New England Patriots. He would eventually become a key contributor in winning two Super Bowl titles from 2013 to 2017 with the New England Patriots.
Amendola’s emergence of being a clutch player for the New England Patriots during the playoffs will not be forgotten and has rightfully earned him the name of Danny “Playoff” Amendola in New England. He instantly became a fan favorite in New England and along the way would build up chemistry, trust, and respect from Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.
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In doing so, Amendola was quickly added to the fold of being worthy enough to train with Brady during the off season in one of his secluded retreats. We also saw him in some of the workouts featured on Facebook in the documentary series “Tom vs. Time”. Some of those worthy players over the years have included Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Julian Edelman, and Rob Gronkowski to name a few.
Despite missing some games due to injuries, Amendola would produce the best years of his career in New England. In five years he would tally 2,383 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns on 10.4 yards per reception. That means more often than not, Amendola had enough yards per catch for a first down. He also received the highest compliment a player can get from Bill Belichick.
"“Danny’s such a good football player. When you look up ‘good football player’ in the dictionary his picture is right there beside it. It doesn’t matter what it is. Fielding punts, third down, big play, red area, onside kick recovery — whatever we need him to do. He’s just a tremendous player, very instinctive, tough, great concentration.” – Bill Belichick, per Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston"
After leaving the New England Patriots during free agency in 2018, Amendola would end up signing a one year contract with the Miami Dolphins. Then again in 2019, Amendola would ride the free agent market train all the way to Detroit to play for former Patriots’ defensive coach, Matt Patricia.
Being away from the New England Patriots must have allowed Amendola to look at the game of football differently and the NFL from a different perspective. It’s worth mentioning Amendola left the Patriots for a larger and more deserving contract. Danny would become shockingly very critical of his former coach, Bill Belichick, and his New England Patriots team.
Dating back to his days on the Patriots, Danny has always been rather outspoken in comparison to some of his former teammates. On a recent episode of “SportsCenter” on ESPN, Danny Amendola broke his silence on his former teammate and future hall of fame quarterback Tom Brady playing with New England Patriots next season.
"“It’s going to go however he wants, I think. He’s the ultimate competitor. I think as his kids get older — Vivi, Jack, and Benny — he wants to spend more time with his family. I think that’s going to weigh heavily on his decision and where he goes, and he can set that up the way he wants. But his competitive nature, his ability is still through the roof, and whatever team gets him — if he stays in New England or if he goes somewhere else — he’s going to bring a high level of football there. It’s hard for me to see him in any other jersey than a Patriots jersey.” – Danny Amendola, per Nick Goss of NBC Sports Boston"
Ironically enough, Danny Amendola is also a free agent, and could potentially find himself playing with his former teammate Tom Brady on another team outside of New England. It would be a low-cost, high reward for the team that would sign Amendola and Brady, as the two have formed a solid rapport with each other.
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With that being said, Danny Amendola is on the same side of the fence as many New England Patriots fans in wanting Tom Brady to stay put and finish his career wearing a New England Patriots jersey.