New England Patriots: What if Tom Brady forced Belichick’s hand prior to 2020
It’s interesting to speculate on what might have been if as has now been reported Tom Brady had walked out of New England Patriots training camp in 2019.
A recent article on news.yahoo.com cited the book about the New England Patriots by Seth Wickersham, “It’s Better To Be Feared”.
As Yahoo notes, Brady reportedly wanted a contract extension to age 45 after the 2018 season,
"According to Wickersham, Bill Belichick refused to bend on the contract. While the team’s owner, Robert Kraft, was OK with it, he also declined to get involved and override Belichick, the book says."
Book makes it clear, the New England Patriots blew it with Brady
If this is correct, the New England Patriots’ brass blew it with Brady and paid the price last season, and still are now.
Now, this is no shock to this space. It has put the onus for the Brady ouster right on the doorstep of not only Bill Belichick but also on owner Mr. Robert Kraft.
When the Patriots signed Brady’s so-called two-year contract in 2019 which had no franchise clause in it, that was the end, right then and there. Brady had one foot out the door all season long.
So the question can and should be explored after Wickersham’s revelation if accurate, what would have happened if Brady had actually walked out of camp?
If Brady walked out of New England Patriots camp in 2019, history might have changed
Indeed, had Brady made good on this implied threat and walked out of camp, the whole scenario may have been turned on its head.
First, the issue of Brady’s contract would not then have been an, “oh, we always work these out” scenario, but rather it would have been right on the table, out-in-the-open for all to see.
Related Story. How Tom Brady dismantled the dynasty. light
Brady in 2018 was a Super Bowl winner, for the sixth time. He certainly had every right to ask for, demand a top contract.
Brady may have been 42 but did Mr. Kraft or Coach Belichick care when the Patriots raised that sixth Lombardi Trophy? Not hardly.
In addition, the man wanted appreciation for what he had done, not only in salary but as the late, great Aretha Franklin sang, in R-E-S-P-E-C-T, from his own team, his own people. He didn’t get it.
He was ticked off and had every right to be. So if he had pushed the envelope, walked out, and said pay me or I’m not playing, he would have forced the issue.
Brady would have forced the New England Patriots hand
If Brady had walked, Robert Kraft couldn’t have sat on the sideline and meekly acquiesced to Brady sitting out. He would have had to act.
And Belichick would have been behind the eight ball if Kraft had plainly said, Brady gets what he wants, and more accurately, what he deserves.
Kraft held all the aces, and if Brady made good on folding his hand and walking out, he’d have had to play them.
If Brady had walked out of camp, a showdown would have ensued. He’d have won out. Kraft would have insured his franchise’s best player ever, and the best ever on the planet would have likely never played a game in any other team’s uniform.
Next. New England Patriots: Tom Brady’s top 5 receivers of all time. dark
Yet, Brady didn’t walk out of camp. The sham “2-year contract” was signed. And 2019 was it for Brady in Foxborough. Oh, what might still have been.
Unfortunately, it was the fans who rose and fell with Brady every Sunday of the 19 seasons he was at the helm of the team, who paid the ultimate price. And it’s still a crying shame.