New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady will meet this week to iron out some issues that have surfaced this year. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network Insider, Belichick and Brady will discuss Alex Guerrero, the quarterback’s controversial trainer, a fresh deal and other matters. Rapoport said the schedule of the meeting will depend on whether the Patriots win Sunday’s Super Bowl LII against the Philadelphia Eagles.
“It is expected to be this week, although of course let’s say there is a parade maybe on Tuesday, they might have to back things up a little bit," Rapoport told NFL Gameday Morning.
According to Rapoport, despite the united front being shown by Belichick, Brady, and Patriots team owner Robert Kraft, several issues need to be worked out in New England.
Belichick and Brady to return next season
Rapoport said his sources told him that Belichick and Brady will be back next season, but the issues regarding Guerrero and the trade involving backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to the San Francisco 49ers need to be threshed out. Also on the table is Brady’s contract extension. The 40-year-old Brady has two years remaining on his contract. “All of those things they hope will be sorted out this week,” said Rapoport.
Guerrero was at the center of the ESPN report written by Seth Wickersham, who claimed that there was a rift between the quarterback’s trainer and Belichick.
It was earlier reported that Belichick stripped Guerrero of some team privileges, including boarding team flights and staying on the sidelines during games. Belichick also prevented Guerrero from treating other Patriots players in his Gillette Stadium office, aside from Brady.
The ESPN report also mentioned the conflict between Belichick and Kraft when the latter ordered the head coach to trade Garoppolo after Brady expressed his intention of playing into his mid-40s.
Despite his objection to the trade as he wanted Garoppolo to start, Belichick gave in to Kraft’s demand, sending the long-time backup to the 49ers for a 2018 second-round pick.
Brady wins third MVP trophy
Brady captured his third Associated Press MVP trophy Saturday, beating Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz for the award. At 40 years and 184 days, Brady became the oldest winner of the award. This season, Brady led the NFL in passing yards with 4,577 with 32 touchdowns as he spearheaded the Patriots to a 13-3 mark.
