There is an ongoing rift between New England Patriots team owner Robert Kraft, head coach Bill Belichick, and quarterback Tom Brady, according to a report that will be published by ESPN on Friday. According to WEEI.com, per report by Bruce Allen of Boston Sports Media Watch and later confirmed by Pro Football Talk, ESPN will come out with a story that will focus on the rift in the relationship between Kraft, Belichick, and Brady. According to Allen, the story will reveal the power struggle among the three as to who deserves the most credit for the dynasty.
The feud is so severe that this could be the last year that the three men will be working together.
Source: ESPN readying new hit piece on Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and Robert Kraft set to publish tomorrow morning at 8am. The topic will be a power struggle among the trio as to who deserves the most credit for the dynasty.
— Bruce Allen (@bruceallen) January 5, 2018
The article claims that the rift is so severe many Patriots feel this is the last year together for the trio. Also that Brady went to Kraft to force Belichick to trade Jimmy G. ESPN is planning a full day of promotion tomorrow for the article and its author @SethWickersham
— Bruce Allen (@bruceallen) January 5, 2018
Allen claimed that the ESPN report, authored by Seth Wickersham, contains the assertion that Brady went to Kraft to force a trade that shipped his backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to the San Francisco 49ers.
Kraft then gave Belichick the mandate to fulfill Brady’s wish. Despite his opposition to the move, Belichick traded Garoppolo to the 49ers for a 2018 second-round pick. However, Pro Football Talk said ESPN report will not contend that Brady tried to force a trade. Wickersham also published a long-form Patriots piece earlier this year entitled "Tom Brady's most dangerous game," which focused on the TB12 Method.
Conspiracy theory revealed earlier
Earlier, NFL analyst and broadcaster Colin Cowherd of Fox Sports floated a conspiracy theory involving Belichick and Kraft about their two backup quarterbacks. Cowherd claimed Belichick traded Garoppolo and third-string quarterback Jacoby Brissett to the 49ers and the Indianapolis Colts, respectively for "peanuts" to get back at Kraft.
Cowherd stressed that Belichick wanted to make Garoppolo the starting quarterback, but Kraft went against it, believing that Brady can still lead the Patriots to win. Belichick then shipped Garopppolo and Brissett for a 2018 pick and wide receiver Philip Dorsett, respectively. Brissett and Garoppolo both emerged as starters for their new squads.
Belichick could leave for another team?
Before Cowherd’s conspiracy theory, Adam Schefter of ESPN revealed Belichick has an issue with Brady’s personal trainer and close friend, Alex Guerrero. Schefter warned that the feud between Belichick and Guerrero could boil over and affect the head coach’s relationship with his long-time quarterback if not addressed immediately. Matt Burke of Metro.us said Belichick could leave the Patriots and coach the New York Giants if Kraft sides with Brady on the matter,
